Boylesports Hero will be the favourite to land next weekend’s final of the €80,000-to-the-winner Con and Annie Kirby Memorial at Limerick following a scintillating display of raw pace in Saturday night’s semi-final.

Rarely have we approached a season with greater expectations than this year.

This weekend must rank as just about the busiest of the year, with five major finals for decision and 21 Irish dogs in action in the Williamhill.com English Derby at Wimbledon.

FEARS that the current economic problems would decimate the sponsorship scene have proved unfounded and there was double good news this week with confirmation that existing sponsorship of the Easter Cup at Shelbourne and the Produce Stakes at Clonmel is to continue this year.