Having Davy Russell on your side has been paying rich dividends for quite a while now and he can again reward his numerous supporters by guiding Birzali to success in the opening Follow Kilbeggan On Facebook Maiden Hurdle at the Co Westmeath track tonight.

Impressive on her recent fencing debut at Clonmel, Dazzling Susie proved the star of last night’s action in Kilbeggan, producing another sparkling, front-running display to slam her rivals in the Tyrrellspass Novice Chase.

The trial of a man accused of the manslaughter of an Offaly publican has today heard that none of the DNA profiles found at the scene matched that of the accused.

KILBEGGAN: 5.05 Spring Hawk; 5.35 Wins Now; 7.05 Ahorsecalledmolly

THERE are three meetings in Ireland this weekend, which are all about quantity and with no pretensions whatsoever to quality.

JOCKEY Francis Lawlor was critically ill last night after suffering serious head injuries following a fall at Down Royal.

Kilbeggan's two chase races on Saturday, May 1, have been cancelled as a consequence of drainage work at the track.

COACH Ray Treacy insists it will take a massive performance to deny home hope Mary Cullen the gold medal in tomorrow’s SPAR European cross-country championships at Santry Demesne.

Westmeath 0-11 Offaly 0-15

MEATH introduce two newcomers, goalkeeper Brendan Murphy and right half-forward Peter Curran, for Sunday’s Bank of Ireland Leinster SFC first round clash with neighbours Louth at Croke Park.

DENIS O'REGAN, fresh from a career-best success on Ansar in the Galway Plate, landed another major pot at Listowel yesterday when partnering Kilbeggan Lad to a smooth victory in the Guinness Handicap Hurdle.

ESSEX, who landed the Irish Cesarewitch last October, will bid to translate his ability to timber when he lines up as the hot favourite for the Pierse Hurdle at Leopardstown tomorrow.