ANYONE seeking proof of Ireland’s record as the most indebted country in Europe should probably avoid Punchestown.

RUBY WALSH and Willie Mullins continued in irresistible form when sharing a treble at Navan yesterday, scoring with odds-on shots Lilywhitedancer and Barker and marker-drifter Palace Merano, which needed all of Walsh’s strength to land the Irish Stallion Farms Novice Hurdle.

Silver Birch was a major disappointment in the Slane Handicap Hurdle at Navan today - his first run under Rules since winning the 2007 Grand National.

THE McNamara combination of Andrew senior and junior struck with Zanwood in the Clonoulty Handicap Hurdle at Thurles yesterday.

MOUSE MORRIS and Niall Madden, who have developed into a potent combination of late, can team up to take the Urlingford Maiden Hurdle with Power Of Attorney at Thurles this afternoon.