It’s become a feature of both Éamonn Fitzmaurice’s and Jim Gavin’s reigns that they tend not to select Under 21 players for big matches. It begs the question, why not?

Joe McQuillan may be as familiar with Dublin and Mayo as Aidan O’Shea with his local barber shop, but there is no love lost with either camp.

Cormac Costello is ready to frustrate a second Dublin hurling manager by focusing on football only in 2015.

Former Dublin star Jason Sherlock was the victim of racial abuse online on the eve of today's All-Ireland SFC final between the Dubs and Mayo.

I THINK it’s fair to say I’m more hopeful than confident facing into the final day of Punchestown this afternoon.

The message was clear from Jason Sherlock, Dublin's darling of their last All-Ireland SFC success back in 1995 - I'm still ready, willing and able.

GOLDEN SILVER, in the colours of Violet O’Leary, defied top-weight to land the Tattersalls Ireland Dan Moore Memorial Handicap Chase at Fairyhouse yesterday.

Horse racing tips from selected courses in Ireland and the UK.

SOLWHIT, a top-priced 6-1 with most firms yesterday for the Champion Hurdle, can live his Cheltenham prospects a major boost by landing the Tohiba-sponsored Irish equivalent at Leopardstown tomorrow.

Owner Andy Stewart is delighted Ruby Walsh has decided to stick with Poquelin after the Paddy Power runner-up was given the go-ahead for the Boylesports.com Gold Cup at Cheltenham tomorrow.

Gwanako and Our Vic have been left at the head of the weights for Saturday’s Boylesports.com Gold Cup at Cheltenham.

Dublin defender Barry Cahill has called on Jason Sherlock to stay on board with the Metropolitans, after it emerged that the St Oliver Plunketts/Eoghan Ruadh clubman has yet to decide his future with the Dubs.

ALAN BROGAN has admitted that the Dublin attack must improve if the county is to launch a serious bid for honours this summer.

WERE it not for a quirk of fate, instead of watching last Sunday’s exciting Tipperary/Cork Munster championship match on TV in his native Dublin, David ‘Dotsie’ O’Callaghan could well have been a central part of the action in Thurles.

ROYAL County Star, trained by Tony Martin and ridden with typical confidence by Davy Russell, landed the featured Enhance Marketing Chase at Punchestown last night.

Royal County Star put up a polished performance to take a nice prize at Punchestown in the shape of the Enhance Marketing Chase this evening.

Check out our tips for today's horse racing from selected courses across Ireland and the UK.

A COURSE and distance winner at the Festival last month, Jayo must be strongly fancied to register his fourth success over fences in the Enhance Marketing Chase at Punchestown tonight.

Notre Pere ploughed through the mud to claim the Punchestown Guinness Gold Cup and earn a 10-1 quote with totesport for the equivalent race at Cheltenham next March.

NOTRE PERE jumped and galloped his rivals silly to take the Guinness Gold Cup by a whopping 13 lengths at Punchestown last night.

I went to Punchestown yesterday hoping to win three Grade 1’s, but had to settle for two.

THE Guinness Gold Cup at Punchestown this afternoon may well be the major prize of the week, but for me the reappearance of Dunguib promises to be the highlight.

FOLLOWING a fair bit of soul-searching, I have decided to ride Pomme Tiepy in Monday’s Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse.

WILLIE Mullins’ Sicilian Secret came in for plenty of support following a stylish piece of work after racing at Leopardstown yesterday and is now 4-1 favourite with William Hill and Cashmans for the Weatherbys Champion Bumper.

Ante-post favourite Tatenen remains in contention at the latest entry stage for the Irish Independent Arkle Challenge Trophy at the Cheltenham Festival.

GOLDEN SILVER, owned by Violet and Archie O’Leary, sprang a minor surprise when landing the Grade 1 Arkle Perpetual Cup at Leopardstown yesterday.

Golden Silver provided Willie Mullins with a third Arkle Perpetual Challenge Cup Novice Chase success as he rewarded shrewd market support at Leopardstown.

Breakingnews.ie horse racing tips for selected courses in Ireland and the UK.

DESSIE Hughes’ horses are in fine shape right now and his Ten Fires gets the napto take the 20 runner www.navanracecourse.ie Maiden Hurdle at the Co Meath track this afternoon.

I travel to Cheltenham today for four rides, but think it’s fair to say the highlight of the weekend promises to be teaming up with Brave Inca in the Toshiba Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown tomorrow.

Willie Mullins will launch a two-pronged attack headed by Jayo and Golden Silver in a bid to secure the Arkle Perpetual Challenge Cup at Leopardstown on Sunday.

PAUL Nolan is set to let Cuan Na Grai have his first start over fences in the Arkle Perpetual Challenge Cup Novice Chase at Leopardstown on Sunday.

Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh suffered a rare reverse when Drive On Regardles was collared close home by Dessie Hughes' Lurgan in the Annual Membership At Naas Maiden Hurdle.

Check out our tips from today’s horse races across Ireland and the UK.

FOR me there is absolutely no doubt what the highlight of the weekend promises to be and that’s getting on Mikael d’Haguenet in public for the first time in a Grade 2 at Naas tomorrow.

LIGHTLY-raced Sports Line is the nap choice to land the 24-runner Blackwater Maiden Hurdle at Cork this afternoon.

Trainer Willie Mullins and smart conditional rider Paul Townend stole the honours at Navan with a near 35-1 treble through Mikael D’Haguenet, Shakervilz and Jayo.

Mikael D’Haguenet burst the bubble of Pandorama with a most impressive victory in the Barry & Sandra Kelly Memorial Novice Hurdle at Navan.

THE progressive Beau Michael gets the nap to defy top weight in the ITBA Fishery Lane Hurdle at Naas this afternoon.

RAIDERS from Ireland and Britain had mixed fortunes at Auteuil yesterday.