The Festival has a long and storied history of producing compelling duels and, with the 2020 renewal rich in promise, Darren Norris picks six battles not to miss.

Darren Norris selects eight takeaways from the Dublin Racing Festival with a view towards Cheltenham.

Talking horses with Darren Norris.

With the Christmas festival blitz in the rearview mirror, the focus now turns to a new decade and 2020 promises plenty. Here Darren Norris highlights 10 dates not to be missed

As Ireland’s most successful sportsperson celebrates a landmark birthday tomorrow. Darren Norris counts down Aidan O’Brien’s 50 greatest moments.

Darren Norris It’s not often the Tattersalls Irish 2,000 proves superior to the English equivalent but the unexpected presence of Newmarket absentee Too Darn Hot in today’s line-up has elevated today’s Curragh feature to cracker status.

Aidan Coleman has carved out a solid career since moving to England from Cork over a decade ago but it wasn’t until Paisley Park won the JLT Hurdle last December that he finally joined the Grade One club. Now the 30-year-old is hoping the Stayers’ Hurdle favourite can double his tally of Cheltenham Festival successes later this week

So that’s Tuesday nearly wrapped up. Here’s some of the stories we published on irishexaminer.com today which we hope will help you make sense of it all this evening.

From Arkle v Mill House to Kauto Star v Denman to Native River v Might Bite, the Cheltenham Festival has produced some epic duels down the years. It’ll be no different this week and the three showdowns below certainly won’t be for the faint-hearted, says Darren Norris

The halfway point of the Premier League campaign dovetails nicely with Christmas so the time has come to provide a little festive cheer by handing out some imaginary mid-season awards, writes Darren Norris

A third of the way through the 2018/19 season, the top three teams remain unbeaten – the first time this has happened in top-flight history. But who will reign supreme come May? Darren Norris assesses the state of play.

James McClean was subjected to a torrent of abuse for refusing to wear a Remembrance Day poppy in Stoke’s 0-0 draw against Middlesbrough. He later took to social media where he labelled a section of supporters “uneducated cavemen”.

Salah a one-season wonder or the real deal?

There may be a sense of inevitably about the destination of the Premier League title this season, but that doesn’t mean there’s nothing to play for over the next nine months.

Un De Sceaux was a brilliant winner of last year’s Ryanair Chase and it’ll be a huge surprise if the Willie Mullins-trained 10-year-old fails to retain his crown this afternoon, writes Darren Norris.

It's safe to say Patrick McEleney didn’t know much about this debut goal...

“He looks a different player. He’s oozing that confidence now and he looked the real deal today.”

Darren Norris looks at how the Irish in England got on this weekend.

Lanzarote’s Club La Santa is among the best looking destinations for a healthy, active holiday, says Darren Norris

The Ladbrokes Champion Stayers Hurdle - the feature race on day three of the Punchestown Festival - was a tale of one jockey who can practically do no wrong this season and another who can barely catch a break this week, writes Darren Norris.

Ruby Walsh on Cheltenham prep and his relationship with Willie Mullins, while Peter McNamara, Darren Norris and Racing UK's Rachel Casey pick winners.

Two of our racing gurus debate whether or not Sizing John is on for glory at this year’s Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Our writers debate Faugheen’s chances of regaining his title...

After the festive feast of the last week this afternoon’s fare in Britain is less than compelling. That said, the main race of the day, the Betfred “Goals Galore” Challow Novices’ Hurdle at Newbury looks a pretty classy affair.

From Champion Hurdle winner Annie Power to Arc heroine Found, it’s been a 12 months of evocative moments and unforgettable memories, both in National Hunt and on the Flat. Here are 16 of the best from 2016 from Darren Norris.

Here’s a briefing on some of the stories and issues highlighted on irishexaminer.com today.

Day 4 is D-Day at the Cheltenham Festival for the Timico Gold Cup hopefuls.

Horse racing correspondents Tommy Lyons and Darren Norris sit with Peter McNamara to detail their opinions on how Day Two of the Cheltenham Festival may transpire on Irish Examiner's BallTalk TV.

Good morning. Here’s everything you need to know before you start your day.

Darren Norris and Tommy Lyons argue their cases...

Will Annie Power prove an able replacement for Faugheen? No, says Darren Norris.