Best Mate’s connections received a timely boost before his imminent reappearance as stablemate Impek gained a deserved success in the Bonusprint.com Old Roan Chase at Aintree.

Paddy Merrigan is making a name for himself as a rider of some potential and to prove the point he booted home his first double on The Pen and Model Son at Wetherby.

STRABANE handler Barry Potts struck the first blow of the week for Tyrone when Dream Castle defied top weight in the Bank Of Ireland Handicap Hurdle at Listowel yesterday.

Some progress appears to have been made today in the controversy surrounding the new Steriline starting stalls which are in use at 17 of Britain’s 35 racecourses.

Kieren Fallon is looking forward to meeting up with Court Masterpiece at Royal Ascot at York after the five-year-old spreadeagled his rivals at Goodwood last night.

Mick Easterby is keen to run Parknasilla in the JCB Triumph Hurdle following the four-year-old’s successful jumping debut at Leicester.

HEATHER DALTON has her string in top form at the moment and the Shropshire-based trainer can register another success with Lord Of The Hill in the Fotocolo Novices’ Handicap Chase at Hereford today.

LORD OF THE HILL maintained the fine run of form of local trainer Heather Dalton’s horses when winning for the second time in four days.

Ferdy Murphy is aiming Ichi Beau at the bonusprint.com Handicap Chase at Aintree’s opening meeting of the season on Sunday.

TONY McCOY wowed the packed Towcester crowds with a short-priced treble as the racecourse opened its doors for the first time in 18 months yesterday.

TONY McCOY can enjoy a happy return courtesy of Penny Pictures and Fiori at Bangor today.