Spent a good few hours last Saturday morning studying the Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse.

At a stage in life when most people have long since summoned the pipe and slippers, Jim Bolger is showing absolutely no signs of slowing down.

Fourteen successes for Ireland at the Cheltenham festival but the real winners — at least going forward — were surely Punchestown.

Last Tuesday you had to wonder whether Hurricane Fly continued to be blessed with four legs.

Gallant Oscar, suspended for 42 days after finishing fourth at Punchestown previously, toyed with the opposition on his way to landing the Slievenamon Beginners Chase at Clonmel yesterday.

Mares like Dawn Run and Quevega arrive on the scene all too rarely, but it is quite possible Annie Power may be regarded in that league at some stage in the future.

Navan on Tuesday and Punchestown on Wednesday provided valuable lessons for any punters who thought they had this game cracked.

There were plenty willing to knock Sir Des Champs as a possible Cheltenham Gold Cup winner, following his hard-earned defeat of Flemenstar in the Hennessy at Leopardstown a week ago, but here's one who continues to believe he has a massive chance next month.

It was a weekend of firsts for Irish champion jockey, Davy Russell.

The recent HRI figures didn’t half illustrate the massive decline in activity in the betting ring in Ireland, threatening the very existence of on-course bookmakers down the line.