The Colm Murphy-trained Rye Martini continued the impressive early season form being enjoyed by Michael O’Leary’s Gigginstown House Stud when making a successful racecourse debut in the opening maiden hurdle on yesterday’s truncated card at Tipperary.

Over half the required 144 entries for the Ladbrokes Irish Derby have been received with another four days to go before Saturday’s closing stage.

Two major competitions reach the semi-final stage on the tracks this week with the semi-finals of both the Sporting Press Irish Oaks at Shelbourne and the Bettor.com Northern Irish Derby at Drumbo Park to be run on Saturday.

The final of the Kudos Supersprint lights up tonight’s card at Curraheen Park and Shoemakers Lad can land the spoils for owner Thomas Harte and trainer Pat Guilfoyle

Unbeaten superstar Milldean Panther tops the entries for the valuable SIS Live Tote Gold Cup which kicks off at Shelbourne on Saturday night.

AFTER a short Christmas break, racing returns to Curraheen Park tonight and it looks a particularly difficult one for punters.

Blackstairmountain should outclass his 14 rivals on his fencing debut in today’s Clonmel Supporters Club beginners Chase in Clonmel.

MEATH-BASED trainer Andy Lynch enjoyed a memorable evening in Roscommon last night, saddling his first double with Roley and Ahorsecalledmolly in the chase action.

Richard Hannon has not decided whether Lilbourne Lad will definitely be part of his Royal Ascot team despite his wide-margin victory at Naas on Monday.

One can already sense the buzz developing around this year’s Pat Hennerty Sales Irish Laurels and the first round action suggested that Curraheen Park patrons are going to be served up some wonderful racing between now and final night.

The two sessions of the opening round of the Laurels were completed at Curraheen Park over the weekend and ante-post favourite Tyrur Enda emerged with his reputation enhanced while his kennel-companion and Derby runner-up Tyrur Big Mike’s suitability to the circuit remains somewhat in question despite a winning start to his campaign.

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

Selected tips from courses in the UK and Ireland.

LUSKA LAD can make a successful debut over jumps in the Corrib Food Products Maiden Hurdle at Galway this afternoon.

NOEL Meade reports Aran Concerto to be firmly on target for a return to Grade One company in the Powers Gold Cup at Fairyhouse on Sunday.

WHEN we walk out of Leopardstown on Sunday night, chances are that the Cheltenham Festival picture will be a lot clearer.

Belcantista, ante-post gamble for The Ladbroke, has sneaked in one from bottom in the 21-horse line-up.

Fiveforthree showed real determination to land the Ballymore Properties Novices' Hurdle for Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh.

L’Antartique has come through his final piece of work ahead of the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham with flying colours.

Last season’s Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup hero State Of Play features among 86 horses entered for Newbury’s £150,000 handicap on December 1.

SIR FREDERICK took his total of successes to five, all travelling right-handed, when proving far too good for the opposition in the Powerstown Chase at Clonmel last evening.

RUBY WALSH was the man to follow at Navan yesterday, notching a big-race double with Young Desperado and Snowy Morning.

Linda’s Lad has been ruled out of Sunday’s Budweiser Irish Derby at the Curragh.

Everything fell into place for Supreme Prince as he gained his first success of the season under a fine ride from Richard Johnson in the Hillhouse Quarry Handicap Chase at Ayr.

KNOCKNA KIRKA canenhance his Guinness Trophy claims at Curraheen park tonight by landing the second semi-final.

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.

ATHLUMNEY LAD is a hopeful choice to win the Guinness Gold Cup at Tralee this afternoon.

DAIRYLAND TOM, the star of the opening round of the AIB Bank Stakes when a runaway winner in 28.64, duly followed up in the opening heat of Saturday's second round ... but not in the expected manner.

FORMER champion Ruby Walsh proved the star of the show at Kilbeggan last night, completing a superb treble, with two of his winners provided by back-in-form Co. Limerick trainer Michael Hourigan.

A muscle injury prevented Wolfe Tone from fulfilling his potential in his Classic season, but he came back with a bang to win the Paddy Power Stakes at Newbury today.

TONY MARTIN is praying for a dry spring to improve the chances of Davids Lad fulfilling an ambitious spring campaign.

TWO of the leading contenders for outright honours go head-to-head when the first round of the Cashman Irish Laurels is completed at Curraheen Park tonight.

AFTER the excitement of the Guinness Trophy over the past few weeks, it's more low-key at Curraheen Park tonight.

IT was a minute before race night, and all through the house, not a creature was stirring — not even a mouse. Then all hell broke loose.

Veteran staying hurdler Limestone Lad is reported to be on course to return next season.

Wayward Lad, arguably the best chaser never to have won the Cheltenham Gold Cup, has been put down at the age of 28.

Limestone Lad, one of the most popular horses in training, faces an extended spell on the sidelines.

A SUB 28.00 run by a dog at Curraheen Park is now clearly on the horizon after Coolmona Dave flew around the circuit in a dazzling 28.14, clipping .07 off the old record, in the opening semi-final of the Macroom Motor Services Stakes on Saturday.

KILLARNEY has enjoyed two decent days racing, but the fare on offer this afternoon really is poor.

THE utter disappointment was visibly etched across Michael Bowe’s well-worn features.

DAVIDS LAD cannot run at Cheltenham today after the Turf Club succeeded in having last Thursday’s court stay temporarily lifted at the High Court in Dublin yesterday.

LIMESTONE LAD remained tucked up at home in his Gathabawn yard yesterday, having failed to get out of Ireland.

DAVIDS LAD, sensationally banned for 42 days by the stewards at Naas last Sunday week, may yet contest the Aintree Grand National on April 5.