Great Minds showed the benefit of his recent return at the Curragh when running out an easy winner of the Listed Cork Stakes at Mallow yesterday.

Handler Denis Prendergast and rider Kevin Power were in splendid form at yesterday’s well-attended Inch point-to-point fixture, run under the auspices of the Killeagh Harriers at Ballyanthony, as they combined to record a double.

The Dick Lalor-trained Carrigeen Acebo cemented her position as undoubtedly the best point-to-point mare around at present by recording a tenacious success in the open lightweight at yesterday’s well-attended Premier Harriers meeting at Horse And Jockey.

For many, it was a case of the best wine being reserved until last at yesterday’s well-attended Lisgoold point-to-point fixture that was staged at Templenacarriga for Follow The Swallow readily put his rivals to the sword in the closing 18-runner seven-year-old and upwards maiden.

Point-To-Point

Politicians have been explaining why, for the first time in my life, I walked in protest against the Government.

Three Limerick motor bike enthusiasts are setting off on an epic 16,000k journey to Mongolia to help children with hearing impairments.

On an afternoon that saw Jamie Codd crowned point-to-point champion for the first time, Mikey O’Connor dominated yesterday’s second stage of the two-day Ormond Foxhounds fixture at Ballingarry in north Co Tipperary by partnering two winners.

Philip Fenton, who has endured a torrid few weeks, might have reason to smile after the INH Stallion Owners EBF Mares’ Maiden Hurdle at Navan this afternoon.

The Denis Prendergast-trained newcomer Free Expression lit up yesterday’s Kanturk-Duhallow point-to-point at Dromahane by posting a terrific stamina-laden performance with Kevin Power to win a vintage second division of the four-year-old geldings’ maiden.

The Tim Townend-owned/trained Dr Patmassini lit up yesterday’s 10th annual Clonmult/Dungourney point-to-point meeting at Avaune by readily putting his rivals to the sword in the winners of two.

There was some fantastic fare on offer at yesterday’s Limerick Harriers point-to-point fixture at Lemonfield, which was staged in aid of the JT McNamara fund.

Motor sport enthusiasts were last night mourning the loss of a prominent rally driver who was killed in a crash while taking part in the Ravens Rock Rally in Co Waterford.

The Eugene O’Sullivan-trained Pocket Reader showed that tenacity is his definite strong suit by winning the open lightweight at yesterday’s United Foxhounds point-to-point fixture at Ballindenisk.

Foildubh, owned and trained by John Ryan, made his breakthrough when turning over uneasy odds-on favourite Days Hotel in the Grade 2 Normans Grove Chase in Fairyhouse yesterday.

Adrian Maguire seems to have a rich source of talent at his disposal this season and, following Up The Ante’s facile debut success at the Kildorrery point-to-point on Saturday, the Laharn Cross-based operator sent out Sego Success to oblige in ridiculously-easy fashion at yesterday’s Carbery Hunt meeting at Kilpatrick outside Bandon.

Record-breaking James Bond hit Skyfall was a double winner at a major British movie awards event tonight.

The Enda Bolger-trained newcomer Marlbrook lit up yesterday’s North Tipperary Foxhounds point-to-point fixture at Nenagh by destroying the opposition in the opening five-year-old geldings’ maiden.

What Richard Did ★★★★

In Lenny Abrahamson’s film What Richard Did, a private school rugby hero commits a very public act of violence, says Pádraic Killeen

From film to fashion, movies to music, food to travel, our critics reveal their Hot 100 choices for the autumn ahead.

COLM MURPHY got a little boost, on the lead-in to Big Zeb’s challenge for next week’s Champion Chase at Cheltenham, when Dangan Daylight landed the Irish Stallion Farms’ EBF Maiden Hurdle at Clonmel yesterday.

IT was an afternoon of firsts at yesterday’s well-attended Dungarvan Harriers point-to-point meeting at Kilossera as riders’ Paul Kiely, Daragh Howard and Michael Roche all attained their initial career victories.

WILLIE MULLINS set the opening stage of Leopardstown alight yesterday with a fine double, including Blackstairmountain in the Grade 1 Racing Post Novice Chase.

THE Willie Mullins juggernaut is now in full flow and the champion trainer struck with a three-timer at Thurles yesterday.

CAPTAIN PAULIE, disappointing at Wexford previously, was back on track in the Munster Waste Management Handicap Hurdle at a packed Cork yesterday.

THE rescheduled Co Clare Hunt point-to-point took place at its traditional Belharbour venue in the Burren region of north Co Clare on Saturday and the Matthew Daly-trained newcomer Jimbill impressed by making a winning debut in the five-year-old geldings’ maiden.

WATERFORD boss John Owens heaped praise on his understrength team after stunning Tipperary in this McGrath Cup quarter-final at Walsh Park yesterday.

AS expected Limerick secured their place in a second consecutive Munster football final at the expense of their hosts at Fraher Field yesterday.

UNFORTUNATELY, the decision which hugely influenced this Munster football semi-final in Fraher Field was not made by the Limerick or Waterford management team or a player from either side but by the referee Syl Doyle.

Waterford 1-9 Limerick 1-17

WATERFORD boss John Owens returned to his Leitrim roots to achieve success in Sunday’s NFL Division 4 opener but insisted that the impact of that win will be negated if the Déise fail to beat London next weekend.

RONAN O’GARA was back on winning form last night when he scooped a prize for his autobiography at the Irish Book Awards.

DO you know what really annoys the arse off me?

TIMMY HYDE’S Like A Duke is heading for the sales ring, following his easy victory in the All Ireland Corporate Games Maiden Hurdle at Limerick yesterday.

CLAIMER Adrian Joyce, who won the valuable Paddy Power Chase on Cane Brake over Christmas, again proved his talent when guiding In The High Grass to victory in the Shamrock Handicap Chase at Gowran Park yesterday.

ERIC MCNAMARA’S Larkwing booked his place at Cheltenham with a smooth success in the Bothar Hibernian Maiden Hurdle at Limerick yesterday.

JAZZ MESSENGER toyed with the opposition on the way to a smooth success in the Horse and Jockey Hotel Hurdle at Thurles yesterday, topping up a smashing afternoon for trainer, Noel Meade, highlighted by a breathtaking display from Aran Concerto at Navan.

TOM HOGAN'S Kalderon has promised to deliver a decent pot for a while and he did it at the conclusion of the Tralee Festival yesterday when putting up a game display in the Listed Ruby Stakes.

Kerry 0-16 Waterford 0-08

WILLIE MULLINS, absent at a wedding in France, missed seeing his Baltimore Hill put up a fine performance to land the novice hurdle at Limerick yesterday.