What a start to spring. Ireland goes into the annals of international rugby history for all the right reasons.

The going was decidedly more firm than Cheltenham and the Cotswolds course will never present the challenge of newly-laid main drainage overlay, but the on-street battle for glory that is Youghal’s Donkey Derby had punters in East Cork smiling last night.

Willie Mullins has admitted to feeling a mixture of dread and excitement as he prepares to unleash a scarcely believable army of equine talent on the Cheltenham Festival.

Simon Claisse is prepared to water the track at Cheltenham during the meeting due to the lack of recent rain.

THE owners of the Cotswolds, at Carrigrohane between Ballincollig and Cork city, went the extra few square yards when it came to providing accommodation. In fact, it seems like they didn’t know when to stop.