WE CAN relax at last and know that spring is really here because Ellen Kent Opera arrives in Cork today with two spectacular performances at Cork Opera House — Die Fledermaus tonight, and Carmen tomorrow.

Ellen Kent has resumed her multiple roles as promoter, artistic director and producer of operas.

'Dr Who' star David Tennant has backed a campaign opposing cutbacks at his former drama school, as student campaigners prepare to meet funding experts today.

IF it’s August in Malmo, Sweden, or Copenhagen, Denmark, then it must be party time.

KILKENNY’S Nowlan Park has traditionally been a hotbed for pulsating, breathtaking and captivating performances but Andrea Bocelli’s awesome live show against the backdrop of a clear blue sky last night was an experience to remember.

THE fast ground at Gowran Park sees just three runners in this afternoon’s Grade Two National Lottery Agent Champion ’Chase, with all the big guns coming out of the race yesterday morning.

Lord Sam is set to return after over nine months off the track in the Anglo Irish Bank Munster National at Limerick on Sunday.

Euro Leader, the mount of Ruby Walsh, and Garvivonnian head the list of runners declared for tomorrow’s Guinness Kerry National.

FRANCIS FLOOD'S Bizet is the nap choice to take the featured Powerstown Chase at Clonmel this afternoon.

MARTIN BRASSIL, who trains just 12 horses on the Curragh, saddled easily the biggest winner of his career when Numbersixvalverde grabbed a last-gasp victory in the Goulding Thyestes Handicap ’Chase at Gowran Park yesterday.

Emotional Moment turned the Alo Duffin Memorial Galmoy Hurdle into a procession at Gowran Park today.

JIM DREAPER, who has his horses in fine shape, can strike again at Sligo this evening with Caimin’s Caper in the Yeats’ Country Bumper.

PERIWINKLE LAD, the medium of some less than complimentary remarks by his trainer in the past, gets the nap to defy top weight in the Pickardstown Handicap Hurdle at Tramore this afternoon.

CHAMPION ’CHASE favourite Moscow Flyer has to come through the Paddy Power Dial-A-Bet ’Chase at Leopardstown this afternoon with flying colours if he is to maintain his postion at the top of that particular Cheltenham ante-post market.

ENDA BOLGER’S Shady Lad, recent winner of a point-to-point, found plenty for Paul Carberry pressure to land the Molony Cup Handicap Chase at Thurles yesterday.