Don Poli, favourite for the Randox Health Grand National with most bookmakers, is a doubtful runner according to Eddie O'Leary.

Willie Mullins brought his tally to 10 winners in a week when sharing a double with Ruby Walsh in Wexford yesterday.

Classic-winning trainer David Wachman is to retire at the end of the season.

Marinero was the class-act on yesterday’s card at Tipperary, which attracted a huge crowd. 

When Willie McCreery saddled a double at the Curragh last Saturday it was further evidence that here is a trainer who is rapidly going places.

Without a win since landing the Grade One Scilly Isles Novice Chase at Sandown a year ago, Gitane Du Berlais made all to capture the listed BBA Ireland Ltd Opera Hat Mares Chase in Naas yesterday.

Ball D’Arc can set the ball rolling on what should be another great weekend for Gigginstown House Stud by taking the opening maiden hurdle this afternoon at Navan.

Identity Thief made all to land the Grade 2 WKD Hurdle in Down Royal, part of doubles for trainer Henry de Bromhead and rider Bryan Cooper and middle leg of a treble for Gigginstown House Stud.

The Game Changer, trained for Gigginstown House Stud by Gordon Elliott, registered his fourth success over fences when getting the better of favourite Sizing Platinum in the Grade 3 Kilbegnet Novice Chase, the highlight of Roscommon’s final meeting of 2015.

Robbie Downey, chasing 2013 champion Connor King in the race for the apprentice title, rode out his 5lb. claim when partnering Go Kart to a convincing win in the Irish Stallion Farms 2-Y-0 Maiden at Down Royal yesterday.

Trí Na Céile should make a bold bid to complete a hurdling hat-trick in the Ballinrobe Race Committee Mares Handicap Hurdle in Ballinrobe this evening.

Cheltenham Gold Cup runner-up On His Own and his Aintree and Punchestown-winning stable companion Boston Bob are among 12 horses confirmed for Saturday’s JNwine.com Champion Chase at Down Royal.

Last Instalment will run in the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup this afternoon.

Gigginstown House Stud insists no decision on Davy Russell’s replacement as its retained jockey has yet been made despite speculation Bryan Cooper will get the job.

Bryan Cooper and Dessie Hughes shared a New Year’s Day double in Fairyhouse as Lieutenant Colonel and Off The Charts powered to emphatic victories.

Michael O’Leary’s Gigginstown House Stud have removed their appeal to the Irish Turf Club against the penalty imposed for the late withdrawal of Devils Bride at Fairyhouse on November 20.

Morning Assembly, winner of a Grade 1 novice hurdle at the Punchestown Festival last April, returned to the County Kildare track to make a successful chasing debut yesterday, justifying 2/1 favouritism in the Ballymore Christmas Fair & Family Fun November Festival Beginners Chase.

Trainer Willie Mullins believes Sir Des Champs’ love of Cheltenham will stand him in good stead when he runs in the Betfred Gold Cup next month.

One of the main reasons Ireland will travel to the Cheltenham Festival in March with a powerful team is the buying power of five major owners.

Sea Of Thunder, trained by Charles Byrnes for Gigginstown House Stud, made a spectacular start over fences in the Irish Stallion Farms’ EBF Captain Christy Novice Chase at Clonmel yesterday.

Tony McCoy’s visits to Ireland aren’t always the most successful, but he took his total for the two days at Fairyhouse to four when guiding Get Me Out Of Here to a smooth success in the Keelings’ Irish Strawberry Hurdle, before powering Alderwood to victory in the Rathbarry and Glenview Studs Novice Hurdle.

The first four home from Cheltenham’s Queen Mother Champion Chase are all entered in what promises to be a memorable renewal of the Boylesports.com Champion Chase at Punchestown on April 24.

A decision on which race First Lieutenant contests at the Punchestown Festival could be dictated by the target of the impressive Sir Des Champs.

Willie Mullins has never won the Cheltenham Gold Cup, but in Sir Des Champs he has a serious contender.

Plans for Magnanimity are up in the air after the eight-year-old’s run in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Leopardstown.

ROI DU MEE made every yard of the running to trounce hot-pot Forpadydeplasterer in the three-runner, Grade 3 Star Chase at Punchestown yesterday.

FIRST LIEUTENANT, already as low as 8-1 for the RSA Chase at Cheltenham in March, will continue his education over fences at Cork on Sunday.

THE Aidan O’Brien-trained Recital is a best-priced 7/1 shot for the Investec Derby at Epsom following a less than convincing victory over stable companions Memphis Tennessee and Regent Street in the Group 2 Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial at Leopardstown yesterday.

DESSIE HUGHES stole the show at Thurles yesterday, completing a 70/1 treble with Rick, Western Charmer and Quiet Thought.

TWENTY-ONE race maiden Red Rock Canyon finally opened his account when justifying odds-on favouritism in the Tote Jackpot Races 3 To 6 Maiden at Roscommon last night.

RUBY WALSH, without a doubt one of the greatest National Hunt jockeys who has ever lived, cemented the greatest week of his career when taking the Vincent O’Brien County Handicap Hurdle on American Trilogy at Cheltenham yesterday.

THE early indications, after just four days of the flat season, are that Aidan O'Brien's horses may well be much further forward than the trainer believed.