I have been asked several times of late, by a number of punters, as to why there is such a lack of racing for much of December, on the lead-in to Christmas.

BOOKMAKERS are generally rather coy about admitting they have had a good day, or a good meeting, but this week a number accepted that Leopardstown at Christmas had been rather tasty for them.

The name McManus is already synonymous with the National Hunt game and another member of the family secured his first winner as an owner at Clonmel.

Wyeth may not exactly be bred for the National Hunt game but he made a winning start to his career over obstacles in the Witney UK Structures & Marquees Novices' Hurdle at Plumpton today.