On a weekend of Irish domination in Racing and Rugby, I discuss the biggest talking points in the world of sport.
1. Utter domination
We knew it was coming, but somehow it was still remarkable.
Day one adhered to the script but in the most surprising way — there were the four Grade Ones successes, but only one winning favourite and a stunning 535-1 treble for Danny Mullins.
Day two was more of a procession — four more Grade Ones and ominous performances from the likes of Ballyburn and El Fabiolo. The Master of Closutton will head to Prestbury Park with his customary roll call of favourites. But perhaps in comparison to last year, there is a strength in depth that makes his domination in March even more inevitable.
Perhaps the one to take from the weekend’s plethora of winners, came in Sunday’s 1-2-3-4 in the Juvenile Hurdle. Kargese battled round in a manner that wasn’t always easy on the eye, stumbling over the last, but still there was enough petrol in the tank, and certainly enough endeavour, to suggest more is to come from this likeable filly in the Honeysuckle colours.
Kargese to win the Triumph Hurdle @ 6/1
2. Unbeatable Ireland
2023 was supposed to be the year the hoodoo ended. The green machine was purring and the Irish fans were in typically good voice as they breezed through their group and into the World Cup quarter-finals. The All Blacks hadn’t had a perfect ride and looked short in defeat to France in their opening game, it seemed as a good time as any to be facing them.
What followed was a pulsating game of rugby in St Denis. One that a disbelieving Ireland ended up on the losing side of. Afterwards their players lay broken on the turf — this wasn’t how it was meant to be, Johnny Sexton tearfully announced his retirement and there was the distinct sense of an ending.
Back to France but this time Marseille for a Six Nations opener barely three months on. Was it too soon? How would they cope without Sexton? Would a charged French home support looking to banish their own World Cup demons be overwhelming? Ireland emphatically answered those questions with a statement of their own and now look very likely to become the first team ever to win back-to-back Grand Slams.
Ireland to win the Grand Slam @ 8/11
3. Title race blown open
Before kick off on Sunday Arsenal knew they needed to win. By 6:30pm on Sunday they had done just that on an afternoon where everything went to plan and they fired themselves back into the midst of a three-way title tussle.
Since then, City have done, what City are want to do and eased unerringly past an awkward Brentford side, but that won’t matter to the Gunners right now. Against Liverpool, they found a formula and balance that eluded them over the Christmas period.
The press was ferocious, Jorginho was orchestrating proceedings in the middle and the Emirates was in a state of near hysteria for 97 minutes. They have gained momentum at a crucial time and head to West Ham on Sunday full of confidence. They are back in the race.
Arsenal to win the Premier League @ 6/1
4. They will not lie down
In the end Luton Town did not secure an historic win at St James’ Park. But in an punchdrunk contest that ended 4-4, they looked every inch a Premier League team at one of the competition’s toughest away venues.
Let that sink in. Luton Town — who spent just over 17 million on transfers in the summer — whose home ground has a capacity of a little over 11,000 and who were considered absolute certainties to head straight back to the Championship, went toe to toe with the richest club in football.
The players have visibly grown in stature. They are no longer content with just being here. Chests puffed and well-groomed, they have now assumed that intangible attitude of belonging — something that Burnley and Sheffield United can only dream of.
It’s quietly the story of the season. Bloodying the noses of the big boys and doing so with a throwback swagger — direct committed football: a plan well-executed. And in the middle of the pitch the re-emergence of Ross Barkley as the Gazza regen we all thought he might be when he burst onto the scene as a teenager.
Gareth Southgate would be well advised to save money on those flights to Amsterdam and take a trip down to the Kenny instead…
Everton to finish in the bottom three @ 3/1
Lola Katz Roberts is a Content Executive at Fitzdares.
