RTE have a rich reservoir of excellent commentators and pundits in their sports department, and one of the most underrated - yet consistently brilliant - is Ted Walsh.
There was a spectacular weekend of racing on RTE this weekend, most notably the Champions Stakes at Leopardstown on Saturday evening, which featured one of the finest line-ups ever to grace Irish turf.
There was more drama at the Curragh today, with Walsh lending the occasion the level of commentary it deserved. First of all, there was a major surprise in the Palmerstown House Estate Irish St. Leger, with the 11-1 outsider Wicklow Brave shocking the 1-7 favourite Order Of St George, the winner of last year's race:
A turn up in the Irish St Leger as long odds-on favourite Order Of St George is denied by the gutsy Wicklow Brave. https://t.co/K6Bleaa5qx
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) September 11, 2016
It was in the aftermath of the Moyglare Stud Stakes, however, that Walsh showed his considerable talent. It was an absurdly close race, with the eventual winner (25/1 shot Intricately, trained by Joseph O'Brien) squeezing ahead of Hydrangea (7/1) in second and Rhododendron (5/2) in third.
The fact a Grade 1 race would be close, to Walsh, is obvious, and isn't exactly explosive insight:
Whatever you do, don't tell Ted Walsh the Moyglare Stud Stakes was 'close'... #RTEracing https://t.co/RNkLu3nkPm
— RTÉ Racing (@RTEracing) September 11, 2016
If Ted Walsh would like to briefly cover his ears: It was close. Really close.
Intricately gives Joseph O'Brien first Group 1 winner as a trainer https://t.co/uDlwhZMN6x #RTEracing pic.twitter.com/WLKqooaBlo
— RTÉ Racing (@RTEracing) September 11, 2016
