CHINESE people welcomed the arrival of the Year of the Ox with raucous celebrations yesterday despite gloom about the economy, setting off firecrackers in the streets and sending fireworks into the sky.

Leading Arkle Trophy hope Accordion Etoile could be a late absentee from the Independent Newspaper Novices’ Chase at Cheltenham on Sunday if the ground eases further.

BRYAN MEEHAN has been one of the biggest names on the Limerick musical scene for more than 30 years.