Galway Hurdle heroine Missunited was backed as if defeat was out of the question in the Summer Twilight Nights Race at Limerick yesterday, but could only finish third of three runners.

Trainer Jessica Harrington has warned punters not to expect a fully tuned-up Jezki in the WKD Hurdle at Down Royal today.

It was particularly interesting to note just how much goodwill there was towards John Oxx after his My Titania had won a Group 3 at the Curragh last Sunday.

Missunited could be set for a winter break after running another fantastic race in defeat at the Curragh on Sunday, with trainer Mick Winters looking forward to a possible clash with Quevega at Cheltenham in March.

Johnny Murtagh plans to give Royal Diamond a workout over the weekend before making a final decision as to whether he makes the trip to Australia for the Emirates Melbourne Cup.

On an afternoon when the last two winners of the Galway Hurdle, Rebel Fitz and Missunited, both trained by Michael Winters, were paraded, it was appropriate that Anshan Dreams should land the Cork Handicap Hurdle at Cork yesterday.

What a wizard this Michael Winters is! A year ago he produced Rebel Fitz to land the Guinness Galway Hurdle and returned to Ballybrit yesterday to win the race again, this time with the cracking mare Missunited.

Cork claimed the throne as the new Kings of Ballybrit as the Mick Winters-trained Missunited romped home to make it back-to back Galway Hurdles for the rebel county.

Twelve months on from Rebel Fitz’s Guinness Galway Hurdle victory, Mick Winters shoots for glory once again with Missunited at the Ballybrit track.

Pale Mimosa gave trainer Dermot Weld his eighth win in the Seamus & Rosemary McGrath Memorial Saval Beg Stakes with a gutsy display at Leopardstown last night.

No Rite Of Passage or Saddler’s Rock, both live Ascot Gold Cup candidates, makes this evening’s Listed Seamus and Rosemary McGrath Memorial Saval Beg Stakes at Leopardstown less interesting than it might have been.

“My first thoughts are with John Thomas McNamara”, said Michael Winters, after his Missunited got the best of a terrific battle with Twigline in the Grade 3 Kerry Group EBF Mares’ Novice Hurdle at Limerick yesterday.

Noel Meade’s Monksland can make a winning seasonal debut in the Grade 2 WKD Hurdle at Down Royal This afternoon.

Back at the scene of his memorable Guinness Galway Hurdle success with Rebel Fitz, Mick Winters struck again at Ballybrit yesterday when classy mare Missunited made every yard of the running to justify 8/13 favouritism in the Easyfix Rubber Products Novice Hurdle.

Today's tips from Galway

The Mullinahone Maiden at Clonmel last night saw Aidan O’Brien’s Hail finally get off the mark, but the contest was more notable for a nasty incident at the two-furlong pole in which jockey Fran Berry suffered numerous injuries.

Michael Winters, who has enjoyed a dream summer with high-class hurdler Rebel Fitz, can provide us with a winning nap in the shape of Missunited in the Tote Jackpot Races 3 to 6 Maiden at Ballinrobe this evening.

THE progressive Missunited gets the nap in the Leopardstown Club Membership Maiden at the Dublin track tonight.

Oliver McKiernan continued his terrific run when saddling Any Bets to land the featured Kevin Broderick Memorial Handicap Chase at Listowel yesterday.

SHADOW EILE cruised to victory for Shay Barry in the ITBA Fillies Scheme Novice Hurdle at Listowel yesterday.

THE Austin Leahy trained Rheinland redeemed the promise of her Killarney second with a decent effort to land the Greenmount Conference Centre Mares’ Maiden Hurdle at Limerick last night.