The introduction of the new Mini Open grade from next Tuesday has been widely welcomed by owners and trainers and should fill the huge void which had existed in the current grading system.

JUST days into the New Year and already we have the draw for the first major open track event of the year, the Tyrur Kennels Open 575 which will kick-off at Shelbourne tonight.

IT has been a very busy period on the southern circuit in the past month and more and the action remains furious this weekend with the final of the Red Mill Masters at Waterford on Saturday backed up by the final of the Tyrur Kennels Open 575 at Curraheen as well as top open action at Tralee and Limerick.