Marito and Roi Du Mee filled the first two places in the Listed At The Races Chase last year and the pair clash again in the Tramore feature today.

Willie Mullins is set to unleash yet another hugely exciting novice chasing prospect at Thurles on Thursday in the shape of Un De Sceaux.

Connections of Salsify hope to have the top hunter chaser back on the racecourse at the end of the year.

The Willie Mullins-trained Morning Run retained her unbeaten record when justifying odds-on favouritism in the Follow Tipperary Races On Facebook Mares Maiden Hurdle in Tipperary yesterday, sparking a double for trainer Willie Mullins.

Pageboy, ridden by Paul Townend, gave trainer David Wachman his first chase success in almost eight years (since Manjoe won at Navan in June 2006) when landing the Free Admission For Under 18’s At All Meetings Beginners Chase at Fairyhouse last evening.

Proud Scotsman Alan King believes Godsmejudge could be coming back to form at the right time ahead of his defence of the Coral Scottish Grand National at Ayr.

My Tent Or Yours is likely to go down the racecourse gallop route in his preparation for the Stan James Champion Hurdle after trainer Nicky Henderson ruled out a trip to Wincanton.

Noel Meade’s Texas Jack beat Baily Green to land the Grade 2 Kinloch Brae Chase at Thurles yesterday, but it was the third horse, Last Instalment, that was the real eye-catcher.

Ruby Walsh doubled-up on a couple of possible Galway Hurdle contenders, Security Breach and Giant’s Quest, on an eventful day in Gowran Park, where fast ground caused plenty of withdrawals.

Ruby Walsh began his afternoon in style by guiding Colin McBratney’s Toye Native to victory in the opening Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares’ Maiden Hurdle at Limerick yesterday.

Colin McBratney feels Sole Witness has plenty in his favour when he goes for the Goffs Thyestes Handicap Chase at Gowran Park today.

In-form Paul Carberry brought his tally for the new season to seven when recording a well-executed double on Nodelay and Griesenau at Downpatrck last night.

Ruby Walsh warmed-up for the revamped two-day Punchestown meeting, which opens this evening, by registering a fine treble on Back To Balloo, Terminal and Devil’s Elbow on Bank Holiday Monday in Down Royal.

SUCCESSFUL with His Excellency in the Grade 2 juvenile hurdle at Leopardstown, trainer Gordon Elliott was on duty at Down Royal where he registered a double with Lord Redsgirth and Rocky Wednesday.

GORDON ELLIOTT and Paul Carberry doubled-up with Mae’s Choice and Al Dafa in Downpatrick yesterday.

SUN Disc credited Curragh trainer Dessie Hughes with his 17th winner of the campaign when the filly won the opening maiden hurdle at Down Royal yesterday.

TRAINER Colin McBratney and in-form rider Eddie O’Connell were in double form at Downpatrick yesterday, sharing in the victory of Bachelor Lad in the featured Blue Ridge Rosebank Novice Hurdle.

Ballyholland is to return to Aintree this spring – but it will be the Topham rather than the John Smith’s Grand National for Colin McBratney’s charge.

FEW sportsmen are tougher than jump jockeys. And David Casey proved the point emphatically when scoring on Boulavogue in the Ballybin Hurdle at Fairyhouse yesterday.

Tony Martin reports Saddlers Storm in “perfect” shape ahead of the Powers Whiskey Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse on Monday.

By Ashley Iveson, Press Association Sport

AT WELL over six foot, Andrew McNamara cuts a disproportionate figure for a National Hunt jockey. You get used to seeing the more, let’s say, compact jockeys coming and going from the weighroom, but the sight of McNamara emerging into the parade ring alongside his colleagues – literally head and shoulders above them – is a strange one.

AVAILING of a window in his thirty-day ban, Paul Carberry guided Oscar Looby to victory in the Grade 2 Woodlands Park 100 Club Novice Chase at Naas yesterday.

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.

Colin McBratney has an ambitious campaign in mind for Ballyholland following the eight-year-old’s triumph in the Galway Plate.

ANDREW MCNAMARA rode his first ever Festival winner at Ballybrit when driving 16-1 shot Ballyholland to beat the gamble of the race, Knock On The Head, by three lengths in the William Hill Galway Plate yesterday.

Ballyholland gave Irish-based trainer Colin McBratney the biggest success of his career when running away with the William Hill Galway Plate today.

RUBY Walsh and Lenny Flynn shared the riding honours at Downpatrick, recording doubles in contrasting style on a day when Willie Mullins also doubled-up, with favourites Tawaagg and Dare To Doubt.

Backstage earned a possible tilt at the Galway Plate with his victory in the £20,000 (€23,000) Newwave Recruitment Perth Gold Cup Handicap Chase for trainer Gordon Elliott.

Irish eyes were smiling at a packed Perth as Carsonstown Boy justified strong support in the opening Provost's Plate Challenge Trophy Novices' Hurdle.