It was a night of mixed luck for trainer Gordon Elliott in Ballinrobe last night as Eshtiaal bolted-up in the Audi Ballina Handicap Hurdle, compensation following the defeat of both odds-on favourite Vercingetorix and Hostile Fire in the earlier Sheridan Electric 4-y-0 Hurdle.

Trainer Ted Walsh has been cleared of any wrongdoing and will face no penalty over the Foxrock case, the Turf Club has announced.

Nicky Henderson has yet to decide on plans for Sprinter Sacre – nearly two weeks after he was pulled up in the Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham.

There may be a dictum that frowns on cheering in the press box, but the sight of Martello Tower persevering in the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Chase was guaranteed to curry quiet favour among those tasked with covering these events. 

Mags Mullins saddled her first Festival winner when Martello Tower came out top in a gruelling battle for the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Owner Rich Ricci believes Vautour may have been underestimated ahead of today’s JLT Novices’ Chase at Cheltenham.

There was a sensational start at Thurles yesterday when the hitherto unbeaten in nine races, Un de Sceaux, fell at the third last in the Killinan Beginners Chase.

The Tullow Tank made an impressive return from a lengthy layoff as he claimed the Fairyhouse Membership 2015 On Sale Now Beginners Chase on his fencing bow at Fairyhouse yesterday.

Cheltenham Festival winner Very Wood made a solid start to his career over fences with a workmanlike success at Galway yesterday.

Leading Irish owner Barry Connell has replaced Danny Mullins with Adrian Heskin as his retained jockey.

Tom Gibney, who won the 2012 Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse with Lion Na Bearnai, was on the mark at Limerick yesterday when the consistent Circe’s Island landed the Follow Us On Twitter Mares’ Maiden Hurdle.

Aerlite Supreme gained a gutsy win over the flattering Usa in the featured P & D Lydon Plant Hire Rated Hurdle in Ballinrobe yesterday, completing a double for trainer Michael Hourigan and Adrian Heskin.

Caoimhe’s Delight gave trainer, Sean O’Brien, his first success in graded company when landing the Grade 2 INH Stallion Owners’ EBF Dawn Run Mares’ Novice Chase at Limerick yesterday.

Willie Mullins further strengthened his formidable hand for the Weatherbys Champion Bumper at Cheltenham next month as Killultagh Vic produced a scintillating display at Naas yesterday.

On a day when Adrian Heskin and trainer-rider John Cullen shared the riding honours with doubles, the Henry de Bromhead-trained Sizing Codelco looked the day’s best prospect for the future when justifying odds-on favouritism in the €25 Punters Pack Maiden Hurdle at Fairyhouse.

The Irish Hockey Association yesterday laid out its blueprint for the sport — and stated its aim to grow participation levels by 20% over the next four years.

Tarla notched her second win over fences when making all to justify 4/6 favouritism in the Irish Stallion Farms Mares Chase in Limerick yesterday.

The Irish Hockey Association yesterday announced Mike Heskin will take over as chief executive from Angus Kirkland.

CHELTENHAM’S cross-country course provided another dose of heavy drama for the wrong reason yesterday when seven riders ended up taking the wrong course with one obstacle remaining.

JIMMY MANGAN’S daughter, Jane, was 18-years-of age yesterday and certainly celebrated the occasion with a real sense of style when landing a double at Limerick.

Adrian Heskin is facing a spell out of the saddle after fracturing his collarbone at Fairyhouse on Sunday.

VICTORY in the Tote Jackpot Maiden Hurdle at Naas yesterday, in which Ruby Walsh was lucky to walk away from a nasty fall (see page 25), went to longshot First Impressions, ridden by Tim Carroll and trained by Mick Mulvany.

FORMER Kildare senior footballer, Willie McCreery, is rapidly making a name for himself as a trainer.

CHARLES BYRNES struck again when Cyborg landed a substantial morning gamble in the opening Western People Maiden Hurdle at Ballinrobe yesterday.

ADRIAN HESKIN added to his growing reputation when powering False Economy, backed from 7-1 to 5’s, to an easy victory in the opening maiden hurdle at Tipperary last night.

HE may only be in the early days of a hugely promising career, but Adrian Heskin is unlikely to forget this weekend in a hurry.

Veteran Church Island defied his advancing years to create a 20-1 surprise in the Bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown.

MICHAEL Hourigan is confident the step up in trip will not trouble Dancing Tornado in the Powers Whiskey Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse on Monday.

BRIAN O’Connell bounced back from the controversial defeat of Dunguib at Cheltenham to register a double on Barney King and Caim Hill at Down Royal yesterday.

ERIC McNAMARA’S Faltering Fullback made a smashing debut over fences when taking the Kevin McManus Beginners Chase at Listowel yesterday.

PAUL NOLAN’S See U Bob made all the running to take a dramatic Ladbrokes Odds On Loyalty Card Handicap Hurdle at sun-drenched Killarney yesterday.

NATIONAL Olympic rowing manager Mike Heskin believes the Government must begin to invest in the development of specialist sports programmes for children, if Ireland is to achieve its sporting potential.

THE Irish heavyweight fours will be in good company in this evening’s Olympic B Rowing final at Shunyi Park, (5.50pm, local; 10.50am, Irish).

THE Irish lightweight fours are in confident mood ahead of their second bid for an Olympic semi-final in today’s repechage at the Shunyi Park (9.40am, Irish time).

CORK woman Ann Heskin is the new president of the Irish Ladies’ Golf Union (ILGU). She replaces outgoing president, Ita Butler of Elm Park.

ANN HESKIN has been nominated president-elect of the Irish Ladies’ Golf Union. She will take over the presidency from Ita Butler in 2005.