Vics Canvas is set to carry on racing next season after defying his teenage years with an amazing effort in the Crabbie’s Grand National.

A dash from the school yard to the stable yard proved a profitable one for jockey Evan Dwan, as the 19-year-old Leaving Certificate student secured his maiden victory inside the rails by taking the closing race at Limerick aboard the Pat Doyle-trained Mossback.

Apprentices Donnacha O’Brien and Donagh O’Connor both recorded doubles in Dundalk last night.

Racing at home is in Fairyhouse, but I’m off to Cheltenham this afternoon to ride Djakadam in his final racecourse outing before returning to Cheltenham for the Gold Cup.

Well-backed all day and sent off 11/10 favourite, Love Potion made a successful debut for J P McManus and David Wachman in the Irish Stallion Farms 2-Y-0 Fillies Maiden in wet and windy Dundalk last night.

Last season’s Cork Grand National winner Vics Canvas has been given the go-ahead to bolster an already-strong Irish challenge in the Betfred Becher Handicap Chase at Aintree on Saturday.

AP McCoy calls time on the most successful career in the history of jump racing today and I would have made sure I was in Sandown for it to join in on the celebrations, whether I had a ride or not, writes Ruby Walsh

On His Own claimed a well-deserved return to winning ways with an emphatic success in the Grade 3 Imperial Call Chase yesterday afternoon at Cork.

Clarcam made the most of a serious mistake from hot favourite Vautour to grab Grade One glory in the Racing Post Novice Chase at Leopardstown yesterday.

Vics Canvas, who had never previously won over fences, broke his duck in style when running away with the Paddy Power Cork Grand National at Cork yesterday.

Off the track since April, Boston Bob returned in triumph to justify 8/11 favouritism in the Follow Punchestown On Facebook Hurdle at Punchestown, sparking a New Year’s Eve double for Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh.

Seamus Heffernan took the riding honours on the second day of the Tramore Festival, completing a double on Moveable Asset and Dimaond Pro, both of his winners prevailing by the narrowest margin, a nose, in ultra-tight photo finishes.

Double Seven, trained for J P McManus by Martin Brassil, landed the €50,000 Gigginstown House Midlands National in dramatic circumstances at Kilbeggan last night.

Cheltenham hero Bryan Cooper stole the show again in Wexford yesterday, completing a fine double on locally-trained Gates Of Rome and Blazing Beacon.

WHEN Bláthnaid Ní Chofaigh’s son, Comhghal, made his First Holy Communion, he wanted to look like James Bond.

SIPTU has said that next Monday's planned two-hour work stoppage at Cork, Shannon and Dublin Airports will go ahead, unless Aer Lingus removes certain pre-conditions aimed at resolving the pensions dispute.

Trainer Pat Flynn has his sights set on next month’s National Stakes for Designs Of Rome following his convincing win in the ISF 2-Y-0 Maiden in Naas yesterday.

Murchu struck for Shark Hanlon in the Perfect Pint Beginners Chase on day four of the Galway Festival this afternoon.

In-form Dermot Weld made a successful start with his juvenile class of 2012 when Imperial Concorde, his first two-year-old runner of the season, made all to land the opening Irish Stallion Farms Maiden at Gowran Park last evening.

Shane Foley celebrated his return from Dubai by recording a double, on If Per Chance and Johnnys Legacy, at Dundalk last night.

WILLIE MULLINS’ long odds-on Final Approach never left second gear when taking the McCarthy Insurance Group 60th Hurdle at Cork yesterday.

BACK-TO-FORM jockey Chris Hayes, successful on Adam’s Return at Leopardstown on Thursday, followed-up when completing a double on Slim Chance and Lady Bennett in Down Royal last night.

FOR BILL, who went off at 4-11, failed to complete a four-timer when proving no match for Aura About You in the Grade 3 ITBA Fillies Scheme Dawn Run Mares’ Novice Chase at Limerick yesterday.

Trainer Paul Nolan enjoyed a near 141-1 treble at Limerick with Golden Sunbird, Aura About You and Politeo striking gold.

STAYING ARTICLE, runaway winner of a recent Punchestown bumper on his debut, collared odds-on favourite Rivage D’Or close home to land the Racing Again At Naas On 24th November Maiden Hurdle at Naas yesterday.

Political Reporter