YOU would like to think that those who tried to make Sam Thomas’ life a misery over the last couple of weeks were hanging their heads in shame after Noland had won the John Durkan Memorial Chase at Punchestown on Tuesday.

OPERATION Houdini is the 10-1 favourite with the sponsors for the Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown on December 27.

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TAKE a chance on Western Gale having a going day in the Irish Stallion Farms’ EBF Novice Chase at Gowran Park this afternoon.

CONNECTIONS of Don’t Push It are confident the eight-year-old will give a good account of himself in the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham on Saturday.

THYNE AGAIN should get his season off to a winning start in the Woodlands Park 100 Poplar Square Chase at Naas today.

TOM MULLINS will weigh up the opposition before deciding where to run Chelsea Harbour this week.

Forty horses take on the four miles and four furlongs and thirty fences of the Aintree Grand National this afternoon.

Ballistraw will attempt to prove there was no fluke about his recent 33-1 win in the Powers Whiskey Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse on Monday.