A maximum field of 22 will go to post for tomorrow's William Hill Galway Plate - the richest race of the Ballybrit Festival week.

THOSE who waded into Royal County Star, from 8-13 to 4-9, in the Summerfest Chase at Killarney last night had their share of heart-stopping moments.

ROYAL County Star, trained by Tony Martin and ridden with typical confidence by Davy Russell, landed the featured Enhance Marketing Chase at Punchestown last night.

THE possibility of the dreaded alternative handicap being utilised hangs over this afternoon’s Powers’ Whiskey Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse.

Notre Pere has been declared for Monday’s Powers Whiskey Irish Grand National, despite Jim Dreaper admitting to concerns about the ground being faster than ideal.

WICHITA Lineman is on course to attempt to follow up his dramatic Cheltenham Festival victory in the Powers Whiskey Irish Grand National.

Wichita Lineman is on course to attempt to follow up his dramatic Cheltenham Festival victory in the Powers Whiskey Irish Grand National.

PAUL NICHOLLS reports ante-post favourite Big Buck’s to be in fine shape ahead of the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup on Saturday.

TONY Martin’s confidence in landing consecutive renewals of the williamhill.ie Troytown Handicap at Navan tomorrow has been eroded by Hold The Pin’s recent Naas flop.

CHARLIE Mann has Air Force One in “the form of his life” as he prepares his six-year-old for the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup, for which 31 horses stood their ground at the latest forfeit stage.

Exotic Dancer has been allotted top weight of 11st 12lb in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury on November 29.

Today will see the Irish Grand National take place at Fairyhouse Racecourse.

THE Powers’ Whiskey Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse today is as open a contest as you can get, but a little each-way on Ballycullen Boy may not miss the target by much.

Bookmakers are already running scared of Royal County Star as Tony Martin’s hope is set to carry just 10st 4lb in the Powers Whiskey Irish Grand National on Monday.

Kauto Star is only 2lbs clear of stablemate Neptune Collonges for the Bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown after the duo finished behind Denman last week.

Ballistraw will attempt to prove there was no fluke about his recent 33-1 win in the Powers Whiskey Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse on Monday.

Mr Pointment will have to defy a welter of statistics if he is to claim John Smith’s Grand National glory at Aintree.

ANTE-POST punters have suffered a blow yesterday when trainer Martin Brassil revealed Numbersixvalverde had not been entered for the John Smith’s Grand National after failing to make sufficient progress from injury.

Connections of Teeming Rain are confident of a decent comeback run after a seven-month absence in the williamhill.ie Troytown Handicap Chase at Navan on Sunday.

CELESTIAL WAVE, unbeaten in two starts over flights, can continue on an upward curve in the Dawn Omega Milk EBF Mares Novice Hurdle at Limerick tomorrow.