Racing review: Hotpots and howlers from the last seven days in the world of horse racing
Who flopped and who made the headlines for the right reasons in the last seven days?
WHAT could have been a very dull week exploded into life over the weekend.
The cold snap played havoc with fixtures through the week, but with Sandown and Leopardstown avoiding the worst of it - there was plenty to write home about.
The man pictured above, in all his glory - affectionately known as 'Bazza' in Sun Racing towers - was at his best on Saturday.
Defi Du Seuil is no easy ride and Barry Geraghty needed all his experience and ability to steer him home past Lostintranslation in the Grade 1 Scilly Isles at Sandown.
The same pair battled out the Dipper Chase on New Year's Day, where Defi passed Lostintranslation after the last but Colin Tizzard's chaser battled back to scoop the Grade 2.
A drop in trip was shouted from the rooftops by 'experts' and pundits alike in the aftermath.
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But Bazza knows best, and with Cheltenham fresh in his mind - he produced Defi Du Seuil at the perfect moment on the stiff Sandown finish, making sure there was no repeat of the Dipper.
You get a 10/10 from me Bazza.
The JLT is the target for Defi Du Seuil now, with trainer Philip Hobbs delighted he passed the exam and proving himself adaptable on any ground.
He's now antepost favourite, a best-priced 5-1 with the bookies for the JLT.
CHAMPION CHANCE Gordon Elliott keen to let star mare Apple's Jade run in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham
The Dublin Racing Festival is the new jewel in Irish racing's crown.
After only two years it already feels an important part of the calendar and is here to stay.
While there were some terrific finishes and plenty of stars only enhancing their Cheltenham credentials, the weekend was overshadowed by the farcical scenes on Sunday.
At the time of writing there were 26 non-runners across the eight races, with each-way betting and Rule 4s a nightmare for punters. The 'bing-bong' did not stop all afternoon breaking the bad news.
The Irish Gold Cup was reduced to a quartet of runners and even their connections had contemplated pulling the plug.
Safety comes first, of course, but Leopardstown should have known the forecast and the likely conditions on Sunday.
A splash of water in the build up to racing would have made a huge difference.
Had this been Cheltenham, you can imagine the uproar throughout the sport and further afield.
There were still plenty of positives on the track for the Irish - with Apple's Jade, Le Richebourg and Min starring.
Perhaps we shouldn't mention the rugby though?
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Trainer Stuart Edmunds had it right off at Sandown on Saturday.
Classic Ben was punted from 33s into 6s for the big handicap chase on the day and duly delivered the goods for connections.
Frustratingly he edged out my NAP Ami Desbois, but you can't fault the man and they clearly expected a big run...
Edmunds is still under rated and given better ammo would more regularly make an impact on the big Saturday fixtures.
It wasn't just Edmunds that had a weekend to remember. Joseph O'Brien would have been popping open the champagne himself.
Le Richebourg and Us And Them ran home in a 1-2 in the Arkle, before on Sunday Sir Erec was chased home by stablemate Gardens Of Babylon.
Sir Erec, a former potential Group 1 horse for Aidan O'Brien shot to favouritism for the Triumph Hurdle at the Festival. The best you could get was 5-2 with most firms.
It was back-to-back 1-2s in Triumph trials for Joseph, after Fakir D'oudairies exploits at Cheltenham last weekend. It's hard to see that trophy going anywhere apart from O'Brien Juniors mantelpiece.