Carlyle Cardinal Ireland has made what is believed to be its biggest ever investment, in Abtran — a major employer in Cork and Dublin.

A private equity-backed management buyout of Carroll Cuisine believed to value the company in the region of €40m, has been completed.

Dublin bucked the economic trend this week with a €6m sponsorship deal with mobile phone giant Vodafone. But are companies still as keen to have their names and logos emblazoned across the front of county jerseys? Brendan O’Brien investigates

FRONT MAN is a hopeful nap choice to land the Carroll Cuisine Premium Ham Beginners Chase at Kilbeggan tonight, on a moderate programme which offers little cause for optimism.

KINGS ORCHARD, trained by Philip Fenton and dashingly ridden by Davy Russell, landed the featured Carroll Cuisine Handicap Chase at Kilbeggan last night.