Johnny Murtagh has been retained to ride all of the Aga Khan’s Irish-trained horses in 2011.

ALAIVAN is a best-priced 8/1 favourite for the JCB Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham in the wake of his impressive hurdle debut victory at Gowran Park yesterday.

JOHN OXX’S horses are in good shape and, hopefully, Hasanka can keep his current good run going by landing the Listed K and M Timber Ballycullen Stakes at the Curragh this afternoon.

GER LYONS’ once-raced Kalacan can get punters off to the ideal start in the opening Irish Stallion Farms’ EBF Auction Maiden at Limerick tonight.

LITTLE went right for Jessica Harrington’s Jumbajukiba at Galway last week, but he was back on song with an impressive performance in the Listed Platinum Stakes at Cork yesterday.

Richard Guest was all smiles after watching 12-1 chance European Dream rout his field in the William Hill Spring Mile.

FRAN BERRY made a flying visit, literally, to ride in the first two races at Tipperary yesterday and then sprinted to a waiting helicopter to get to Faryhouse to partner Osterhase.

Doyoun, winner of the 1988 2000 Guineas and sire of the brilliant Daylami, has died, it has been announced on the Thoroughbred Times website.

Frankie Dettori is the hot favourite to be top jockey over the four days at Royal Ascot this week and the Italian has some choice mounts.

Dual Derby winner Sinndar has been hailed as the best three-year-old in the world last year.