SHANE DUNPHY’s true story starts with a transcript of his first psychotherapy session, and goes on to recount the strange sequence of events that led a case-hardened child protection professional to seek psychiatric help.

Still got a pressie to buy or are you expecting some vouchers on Christmas Day? Richard Fitzpatrick picks the best book of the year in 10 different genres

In the UK, a cheery milkman has been banned from whistling on his round.

Barizan earned a possible trip to Galway after putting his problems behind him with a gritty display to take the Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle at Haydock.

Sandown have named a race in honour of the late Josh Gifford.

It’s Potty Time! By Tracey Corderoy, illustrated by Caroline Pedler (Little Tiger; €8.35) is the perfect book for what can be a headache-inducing exercise.!

Nick Gifford is leaning towards naming the JLT Specialty Handicap Chase as Tullamore Dew’s target at the Cheltenham Festival.

Josh Gifford, one of British racing’s best known and most loved figures, died in the early hours of yesterday morning at the age of 70.

Royal Wedding ensured a fairytale outcome for punters at Fontwell as he landed the Crabbie's Alcoholic Ginger Beer Handicap Chase today.

Bookmakers are fearing a "multi-million pound headache" when the aptly-named Royal Wedding runs at Fontwell tomorrow evening.

THE astronaut husband of wounded Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords has decided to go ahead with his shuttle space flight in April.

President Barack Obama said that the United States is still in shock about the shooting rampage in Arizona that has left a Democratic congresswoman fighting for her life, but he commended the courage of the people who responded on site, saying their actions reflect the “best of America”.

An assassination attempt has left a Democratic congresswoman in a critical condition, killed Arizona’s chief federal judge and five other people and forced Americans to question the toxic legacy of their divisive politics.

A lot more is surely going to be heard of Peter Toole this season and the conditional rider produced a minor miracle to win at Fontwell.

Gauvain was given a 33-1 quote by Coral for the Arkle Trophy at next month’s Cheltenham Festival following his victory in the Grade Two Kilbrittain Castle Novices’ Chase at Sandown.

Charlie Mann is revelling in his best-ever season and Gauvain provided him with another Cheltenham Festival contender when taking the Grade Two Kilbrittain Castle Novices’ Chase at Sandown.

Mr Thriller made it two from two for the David Pipe yard by overcoming a howler at the second-last to take the Docker Hughes Memorial Novices' Hurdle at Fontwell.

Dee Ee Williams was trimmed to 20-1 by Coral for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at the 2009 Cheltenham Festival after scoring on an afternoon brimming with future stars at Ascot.

NICKY HENDERSON was more than satisfied after Afsoun was made to pull out all the stops to make a winning start to his fencing career in the Commscope Solutions And Anixter Business Partners Novices’ Chase at Warwick yesterday.

Nicky Henderson was more than satisfied after Afsoun was made to pull out all the stops to make a winning start to his fencing career in the Commscope Solutions And Anixter Business Partners Novices’ Chase at Warwick today.

Charlie Mann was staggered at Wendel's starting price of 10-1 as his German import made a pleasing debut over hurdles on a murky afternoon at Plumpton.

STRAW BEAR left observers undecided but trainer Nick Gifford most satisfied as he was beaten by Sir Harry Ormesher on his chasing debut at Exeter yesterday.

Militant supporters of Zimbabwe president Robert Mugabe have invaded more white-owned farms as he urged them to defend the seized land.

Militant supporters of Zimbabwe president Robert Mugabe have invaded more white-owned farms today.

Nick Gifford offered no excuses for Straw Bear’s reverse at Sandown yesterday.

Silverburn may try to emulate full-brother Denman by capturing the Royal & SunAlliance Chase at the Cheltenham Festival after his all-the-way success in the totesport.com Challengers Novices’ Chase at Sandown.

Timmy Murphy steps in for the injured Tony McCoy as Straw Bear faces another potential match-race with Afsoun in the totescoop6 Contenders Hurdle at Sandown on Saturday.

DENIS O’REGAN ensured he will never forget his first experience of Fakenham by collecting a 14-day ban for riding a finish a circuit too early.

Colin Tizzard has started 2008 in the same rich vein of form he ended last year and Ironside netted another valuable prize for his West Country stable in the £25,000 skybet.com Sussex National at Plumpton.

Nick Gifford’s Christmas Hurdle winner Straw Bear may head straight for the Champion Hurdle without the aid of another run.

Wee Robbie, a gallant third in the Jewson Novices’ Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, could skip Aintree in favour of the Coral Scottish Grand National.

Straw Bear will enjoy an extended break before returning to racing in the autumn after pulling up in the Champion Hurdle last week.

PHILIP Hobbs’ Detroit City, the main British hope, heads the betting at 2-1 following yesterday’s defection of both Macs Joy and Harchibald.

JESSICA HARRINGTON remains positive about Macs Joy’s Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle prospects despite his odds-on reverse on Saturday.

Straw Bear appeared right back to his best when posting an authoritative victory in the Bathwick Tyres Kingwell Hurdle at Wincanton - but trainer Nick Gifford immediately played down his charge's Cheltenham Festival hopes.

TONY McCOY is hoping to expose any chinks in the armour of Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle favourite Detroit City in the Agfa UK Hurdle at Sandown this afternoon.

Nick Gifford has withdrawn Killaghy Castle from this afternoon’s Stan James Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase at Kempton following Straw Bear’s disappointing showing in the Christmas Hurdle yesterday.

Eircom League champions Cork City will be without top striker John O’Flynn again for the visit of Bray Wanderers to Turner’s Cross tonight (7.45pm).

Jubilant trainer John Murphy will weigh up the options before deciding whether to step his brilliant two-mile chaser Newmill up in trip next season.

Joly Bey will miss the John Smith’s Grand National after failing to recover from an injury setback.

Straw Bear, a close second in last Tuesday’s Anglo Irish Bank Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, could run at both Aintree and Punchestown “ground permitting” before he has a summer break.

Paul Nicholls, the season’s leading trainer, got off to a winning start at the Cheltenham Festival as Noland took the Anglo Irish Bank Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.

SWEET WAKE is a short-priced favourite to give trainer Noel Meade a second victory in the Anglo Irish Bank Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham today.

Nick Gifford is hopeful the best is still to come from Straw Bear as the five-year-old gears up for his biggest test to date at Sandown on Saturday.