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.

Willie Mullins is currently dominating Irish National Hunt racing in a manner not seen since the days of the late Tom Dreaper.

Does anyone, with the possible exception of Davy Russell, Willie Mullins and whoever is lucky enough to ride the horse at home, know how good Un Atout really is?

One of the main reasons Ireland will travel to the Cheltenham Festival in March with a powerful team is the buying power of five major owners.

Whoever had the foresight to name Rule The World must, at least secretly, be congratulating themselves.

Last Saturday the Irish Field newspaper had a fair old go at Thurles Racecourse.