American trip gives Walsh food for thought Ruby Walsh feels Irish racecourses should take a leaf out of America's books by promoting picnic areas in the infield. The top Irish jumps jockey was struck by the informal atmosphere as he reflected on his victory on Rawnaq in the Grand National Hurdle Stakes at Far Hills in New Jersey. He believes his home tracks could benefit from encouraging racegoers to enjoy the action from their cars in the middle of the course. "It was great and is an amazing day out (at Far Hills)," said Walsh. "You have to wonder, though, are our summer tracks missing a trick, as in the way they do things? "The cars in the middle and the picnics. I know we don't have the climate during the winter, but the summer tracks, I just wonder is there something for our bigger summer tracks to be looking at. "There were 35-40,000 people there, no grandstands, no big infrastructure and families having a good day out at 10.30 in the morning. It was just something to see and very well run." Walsh has won virtually every big jumps race, but the Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris he sees as his next personal target. He flew straight back home from America after the meeting and was back amongst the winners with a double at Cork.
