I’VE won four of the last six runnings of the Kerry National, but am no more than hopeful off adding another aboard Deutschland today.

PAUL CARBERRY ended a lean spell, stretching back to a double at Gowran Park on March 20, when registering a double on Cottage Oak and What’s Up Gorden at Punchestown last night.

PUNCHESTOWN eight days ago recorded no less than 54 non-runners. Racing returns to the track this evening and, with generally massive fields and the sun baking down yesterday, it will be more than interesting to note how the programme finally shapes up.

OLD MCDONALD is the nap choice to beat no less than 24 rivals in the Motivate Challenge Supporting Barretstown Maiden Hurdle at Punchestown tonight.

AS far as I’m concerned there is only one plus to me not riding today, and that’s the fact I don’t have to choose between Willie Mullins’ three runners in the World Series Hurdle.

WALKING out of the press room at Limerick on Sunday, shortly before the first race, you immediately felt the National Hunt season was back in full flow.

CHARLIE SWAN’S Zaralabad can send punters home on a high by landing the nap in the Listowel Races Supporters’ Club Slan Abhaile Race at the concluding stage of the Festival this afternoon.

RUBY WALSH made his first ride at Ffos Las a winning one when Irish raider Carsonstown Boy claimed the opening Iwan Thomas Novices’ Hurdle at the official opening of the Welsh track.

Grand National-winning trainer Gordon Elliott carted off with the first major jumps race at Ffos Las as Backstage romped to a 10-length success in the £50,000 freebets.co.uk Handicap Chase.

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.

SIZING EUROPE can land the nap in the Pyramid Bookmakers’ Novice Chase at Roscommon this evening.

DAVY RUSSELL, on his first day back since suffering a hand injury at the Punchestown Festival, landed the three mile handicap hurdle at Cork last night on Tony Martin’s Royal County Star, the first of three winners on the night.

Check our tips for selected courses from today's horse racing events across Ireland and in the United Kingdom.

SHANE JACKSON, one of the rising young stars of Irish racing, gave Dark Bolero a copybook drive to land the featured Guinness Handicap Hurdle at Listowel yesterday.

ERIC MCNAMARA enjoyed the biggest domestic success of his career when saddling Ponmeoath to land the Guinness Kerry National at Listowel yesterday.