Support for the Irish women’s team took a giant leap towards a semi-professional basis with the announcement that Park Developments will roll out a four-year support package which will see up to 23 players initially benefit from bursaries.

Ireland and New Zealand’s exchange of coaching know-how is set to continue with Sean Dancer swapping hemispheres to take on the role as Green Army head coach.

* The Truth According to Arthur by Tim Hopgood (Bloomsbury, €8.40) 

Anton Du Beke joined 'Strictly Come Dancing' because of Sir Bruce Forsyth.

The parents of ‘Tiny Dancer’ Lily-Mae Morrison have received “the best possible news we could ever have hoped for”, after doctors told them their daughter’s cancer is in remission.

Dysart Dancer, far from one hundred per cent in the morning, stripped fit and well to land the 2012 Tramore Races Centenary Year Maiden Hurdle at the seaside venue yesterday.

Betting exchange company Betfair plan to make a splash with their initial foray into major greyhound racing sponsorship this weekend.

With the Grand National itself now less than a fortnight away, Donald McCain and Jason Maguire warmed up for the world’s most famous steeplechase as Chamirey landed the Sean Magee’s Full Set Durham National at Sedgefield.

IN-FORM Jim Bolger dominated last night’s action at Gowran Park, saddling a 55/1 treble with Majestic Dancer, Buiateoir and Book Of Numbers to follow-up his double at Naas on Wednesday.

SARISKA simply toyed with the opposition, as she bounded to an unflattering three lengths victory in yesterday’s Darley Irish Oaks at the Curragh.

DERMOT Weld’s horses are struggling to hit form at the moment, but the stable’s fortunes can start to turn the corner with Dazzle Dancer in the Irish Stallion Farms’ EBF Fillies Maiden at Killarney tonight.

The sun shone and the crowds flocked to Musselburgh's family day meeting, which got under way with James Moffatt's Masterofceremonies gaining a dramatic success under Royston Ffrench in the toteplacepot Selling Stakes.

A switch away from Kempton on St Stephen's Day provided Exotic Dancer with the chance to break through at the top level as Jonjo O’Neill’s stable star struck in the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown.

Voy Por Ustedes is reported to be in tip-top condition ahead of the Stan James King George VI Chase at Kempton on St Stephen's Day.

EXOTIC Dancer is primed for his latest clash with Kauto Star in Saturday’s Betfair Chase at Haydock.

Star De Mohaison may return to action over hurdles at Haydock at the Betfair Chase meeting on November 22.

ANY seven-race programme which caters for four handicaps always leaves plenty to be desired and that’s very much the case at Leopardstown tonight.

THE Tom Foley-trained Dariak sprang a 16/1 shock in the Knockcroghery Hurdle at Roscommon last night.

Paul Nicholls was impressed by Tom Taaffe’s training achievement to bring Kicking King back to health, although the gelding could be a major obstacle in the path of Kauto Star and Denman in the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Tony McCoy is hoping Exotic Dancer will be back to his best when he takes on his old adversary Kauto Star in the Betfair Chase at Haydock on Saturday.

On a weekend featuring the ever-popular Breeders’ Cup, stay-at-home punters are also in for a treat as Gold Cup hero Kauto Star makes his seasonal reappearance at Aintree.

Authorized remains the red-hot favourite for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe after delighting trainer Peter Chapple-Hyam in his final piece of preparatory work.

Chris Wall blamed the “gluey” ground for Wake Up Maggie’s below-par performance at Leopardstown on Wednesday night.

Dandy Man staked an early claim for top sprint honours with a convincing victory on his seasonal reappearance at Naas.

With his nemesis Kauto Star enjoying a much-deserved rest, the stage was clear for Exotic Dancer to shine in the glorious spring sunshine at Aintree and that he did with a virtuoso display in the Betfair Bowl Chase.

Course specialist Exotic Dancer gets the nod to land the totesport Gold Cup at the final stage of the Cheltenham Festival this afternoon.

Exotic Dancer and Hedgehunter have been allocated joint top weight of 11st 12lb for this year’s John Smith’s Grand National.

Both Exotic Dancer and Racing Demon are set to sidestep another clash with Kauto Star in the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup.

CHRISTMAS stories of shining stars will have been told the world over in recent days and racegoers at Kempton Park were treated to a sight of the real thing as Kauto Star lived up to his billing in the Stan James King George VI Chase yesterday.

Exotic Dancer will attempt to complete a famous Cheltenham double on Saturday.

Dancer Michael Flatley has cancelled all his latest European dates after being hospitalised with a serious illness.

Norse Dancer has been retired after struggling to find his form this season.

Darryll Holland is hoping the ground at the Curragh will be suitable for Dragon Dancer to take his chance in the Budweiser Irish Derby.

FRENCH raider Darsi and the Aidan O'Brien trained Dylan Thomas are the 3/1 joint favourites with Cashmans for the Budweiser Irish Derby after Hala Bek was ruled out of the 12-furlong contest yesterday.

Marcus Tregoning has warned followers of his Vodafone Derby winner Sir Percy to hold their bets on the colt for the Irish equivalent on July 2.

VODAFONE Derby hero Sir Percy is a 5-2 shot with Cashmans to land the Irish equivalent at the Curragh in four weeks time.

Vodafone Derby hero Sir Percy has been installed as the 9-4 favourite to land the Irish equivalent at the Curragh in four weeks’ time.

Darryll Holland believes the Curragh would suit Vodafone Derby runner-up Dragon Dancer much better than Epsom did.

CONDITIONS on the Roodee should be perfect for tomorrow’s totesport Chester Cup, for which a maximum field of 18 has been declared for what is the showpiece of the three-day meeting.

Conditions on the Roodee should be perfect for Wednesday’s totesport Chester Cup, for which a maximum field of 18 has been declared for what is the showpiece of the three-day meeting.

Darryll Holland will partner Norse Dancer when the David Elsworth stalwart goes globe-trotting again with a crack at the Queen Elizabeth II Cup in Hong Kong on the agenda.

Ouija Board found it all too much in the desert heat as she and jockey Kieren Fallon were tactically outfought in the $5m Dubai Sheema Classic at Nad al Sheba.