Fionnuala Britton’s debut marathon catapulted her to fourth in the Irish all-time list as the double European cross-country champion finished tenth at the European Championships 26-miler in Zurich.

Warwick Avenue, an ordinary horse by Ballydoyle standards, can land the nap in The Irish Times Maiden at theCurragh tonight.

OUR football correspondent LIAM MACKEY is back in top form and full of energy. He casts his eye over your comments and gives his own critical analysis of the goings on throughout the world of football. You may agree with him or then again you may not. This week France in the qualiers and away in the second let; Pool react with dignity; Throwing toys out of the pram; Pool undone by hot air; Hiddink available for Anfield; Best Premiership for years; Utd v Liverpool difficult to call; Bruce next Utd manager; Fulham victims of their own success; Lamps lack of goals; Wenger was right about obscenities; Defoe’s should have seen red.

Gabriel Batistuta walked out of a love affair and into a marriage of convenience when he left Fiorentina for Roma.