We’ve spoken before in these pages about the earthiness of those who go to Clonmel every year for the annual National Coursing Meeting, of how grounded they are in nature, how self-sufficient.

CHELTENHAM Star, jointly owned by John Hennessy, Michael Hegarty and Tom Healy from Ballymacoda, Co. Cork, and trained by Denis O’Driscoll in Skibbereen, was a surprise winner of the Cork Cup at Blarney yesterday.

IT must have been a close call but from a very strong field — where his main rival must have been Champion Stakes winner Windfarm — the Greyhound & Pet World coursing dog of the year award has gone to the courageous puppy Eoin Rua (Handsome Billa – Eoin Og), winner of the very competitive JP McManus Irish Cup at Patrickswell and the Keen Laddie Stakes at Clonmel.

HORSE of the Year Sergeant Cecil can land the first Group prize of his career in the Emirates Airline Yorkshire Cup at York today.