FIRST things first and let me begin today by confirming that Kauto Star definitely comes to Down Royal for the James Nicholson Chase on November 1.

DARIAK, absent since finishing fourth behind Indian Pace in the Galway Hurdle, stormed away with the Brandon Hotel Handicap Hurdle at Tralee yesterday.

GARRAI ARD, fresh from her best effort to date at Listowel, can provide the answer to the Ballybeggan Racegoers’ Club EBF Novice Hurdle at Tralee today.

ERIC McNAMARA produced a brilliant training performance to win back-to-back Guinness Kerry Nationals with Ponmeoath at a packed Listowel yesterday.