An air of silence and sadness hung over the usually boisterous Ballybrit yesterday as the racing community mourned the passing of jockey John Thomas ‘JT’ McNamara.

Aer Lingus transatlantic cabin crew member Olive Murphy will turn pilot at the upcoming Cheltenham race meeting.

Investec Oaks runner-up Secret Gesture will not run in the Darley-sponsored equivalent at the Curragh on Saturday after suffering a setback.

Isabel Tompsett is reported to be making good progress as she continues to recover from a bad fall at Fakenham last month.