Connections of Defi Du Seuil remain in no rush to map out a second-half-of-the-campaign programme for last season’s champion juvenile hurdler.

Meet the faces of 2018 — the emerging talents who’ll soon be seen on a screen or at a venue near you. From cinema and TV to music and fashion, we profile the new names reaching for success in 2018, writes Esther McCarthy.

The West’s Awake was a poignant winner of the two-and-a-half-mile novice chase at Punchestown yesterday.

And after 115 features, 34 documentaries and 116 shorts, the panel of esteemed judges had their work cut out for them.

Sourcing his material from former prisoners, director Frank Berry wanted to get the experience of a first-time inmate on to the big screen, he tells Esther McCarthy

The Cork-born director of the prestigious event helps Esther McCarthy select some highlights

Barry Geraghty admits "it's a tricky one" as he ponders between More Of That and Cause Of Causes as his mount in the Randox Health Grand National at Aintree on Saturday.

Annacotty will attempt back-to-back victories in the BetVictor Gold Cup at Cheltenham on November 12.

Enda Bolger led the tributes to JT McNamara after the former leading amateur rider died aged 41.

On Saturday afternoon Leopardstown hosted an Irish Gold Cup meeting which threw many Cheltenham markets into complete disarray.

Leading RSA Chase contender More Of That is to sidestep the Betfred TV Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase at Sandown on Saturday with regular rider Barry Geraghty on duty in Ireland.

Nearly Nama’d relished the heavy ground to land his second decent pot of the season at Fairyhouse in the Underwriting Exchange Dan Moore Memorial Handicap Chase yesterday.

Officials at Chepstow are optimistic Saturday’s Coral Welsh Grand National will go ahead after being given the green light to move the feature event to a slot earlier in the afternoon.

Owner Nick Peacock is hopeful Arctic Fire can gain a deserved victory in the Lismullen Hurdle at Navan tomorrow.

The Henry de Bromhead-trained Sadler’s Risk belied his relative inexperience over fences when taking an eventful renewal of the Ladbrokes Munster National yesterday afternoon at Limerick racecourse.

The Grade 2 Istabraq Hurdle was the feature event on yesterday’s high-class mixed programme at Tipperary, and Plinth, carrying the colours of the eponymous three-time Champion Hurdler, and also trained by Aidan O’Brien, caused a minor upset when landing the spoils.

Trainer Pat Fahy topped and tailed yesterday’s meeting at Clonmel with the victories for Eyes Of A Tiger and Ten Times Better, while their respective riders, Ruby and Katie Walsh, helped record a memorable day for the Walsh family as their father, Ted, was also on the mark, with Old Castletown.

Fran Berry starred with a big-race double on Hint Of A Tint and Bocca Baciata at the Curragh yesterday.

In top form in Royal Ascot during the week, seven-times champion Pat Smullen partnered favourite Laviniad to a convincing victory in the featured www.gowranpark.ie Handicap in Gowran Park yesterday.

Brian Hayes made a daring move up the inside to deliver a winning challenge on the Shark Hanlon-trained Abolitionist in the featured Belvedere House Gardens & Park Handicap Chase in Kilbbegan last night, second leg of a double for the rider, successful earlier on Aunt Alice for the Bowe family.

Mark Walsh continued on his winning ways with a double for boss J P McManus in Limerick yesterday.

From dragons to psychopaths, Vikings to villains, a wide array of genres have been recognised by this year’s Irish Film and Television Awards.

Frank and Patrick’s Day have topped the list for film nominations with nine, while both Love/Hate and Vikings have the highest number of nominations for a television programme with seven.

The IFTA's are back for 2015, rumours of their demise have been greatly exaggerated, and the list of nominees has been revealed.

The Steve Mahon-trained Usa made a spectacular return to action when bolting-up in the Fundraising Events At Tipperary Races Rated Novice Chase in Tipperary yesterday.

Joseph O’Brien insisted his weight “isn’t too bad” as he returned to the winner’s enclosure on the Flat for the first time this season.

Arctic Fire gets the chance to step out of his illustrious stablemate Hurricane Fly’s shadow when he goes for glory in the Doom Bar Aintree Hurdle at the Liverpool course today.

Joseph O’Brien has every intention of returning to action on the Flat this season after electing to miss the opening day of the Irish season at the Curragh tomorrow to ride over hurdles at Limerick.

Carlingford Lough, joint-top weight for the Crabbie’s Grand National, has been ruled out of the Aintree centrepiece on April 11.

More Of That will not defend his World Hurdle crown and will miss the rest of this season.

Adrian Maguire is undecided as to whether to let Two Rockers make his Irish Rules debut in Sunday’s Ladbrokes Ireland Boyne Hurdle at Navan.

Willie Mullins expects Boston Bob to strip a bit fitter for the Hennessy Gold Cup at Leopardstown tomorrow than he did for the Lexus Chase at the same venue over Christmas.

Cheltenham ante-post plunge horse Alvisio Ville puts his reputation on the line in Sunday’s Deloitte Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown on Sunday.

Connections of Jezki were happy enough with his run behind Hurricane Fly at Leopardstown on Sunday despite losing out to his old adversary for a fifth time.

Hurricane Fly has frightened away most of the opposition as only eight horses have been entered for the BHP Insurance Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown on January 25.

The season’s leading rider, Mark Walsh, started the New Year in great style when completing a fine treble on Missyspet, Noble Emperor and Sword Fish in Fairyhouse yesterday.