Willie Mullins struck gold with his first ever runner at Taunton as Myska kept her unbeaten record intact in the Happy New Year From totepool Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle yesterday.

Thurles on a Thursday conjures up images of national hunt racing in the depths of winter, but the ground is expected to ride on the fast side this afternoon and that should suit Miss Dinamic, who can take the opener for the in-form stable of Gordon Elliott.

Don Cossack is set to have his last run before the Cheltenham Festival in the Kinloch Brae Chase at Thurles on January 15.

It’s Punchestown for me over the next two days, with the battle between Hurricane Fly and Jezki in tomorrow’s Morgiana Hurdle likely to prove the big talking point of the weekend.

Henry de Bromhead’s Darwins Fox made virtually all of the running to land the J P McManus Rated Hurdle at Cork yesterday.

Tom Mullins and Paul Townend, who teamed up to win with Elsie at Roscommon on Tuesday, again join forces at Cork tonight with Grand Partner and the six-year-old is fancied to land the nap in the Great Value Social Package Maiden Hurdle.

The prestigious three mile and five furlong Boylesports Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse is one of the few major prizes to elude champion trainer Willie Mullins and he unsurprisingly has a plethora of entries this year, including Prince De Beauchene, Vesper Bell, Touch The Eden and Away We Go.

Pineau De Re claimed Crabbie's Grand National glory at Aintree for trainer Dr Richard Newland and jockey Leighton Aspell this afternoon.

It seems fitting that the first officially recorded Grand National winner way back in 1839 was called Lottery.

Owner Robert Waley-Cohen and his jockey-son, Sam, have enjoyed unprecedented success over the Aintree fences but it could all pale into insignificance if Long Run wins the first £1m (€1.2m) renewal of the Crabbie’s Grand National.

Mark Walsh will partner Colbert Station if Tony McCoy opts to ride Double Seven in the Crabbie’s Grand National at Aintree tomorrow.

Tony McCoy is currently favouring Double Seven as his mount in Saturday’s Crabbie’s Grand National at Aintree.

Tony McCoy’s ride in the Crabbie’s Grand National appears to be down to a potential two after the weights were announced for what looks an incredibly open renewal on April 5.

A total of 115 entries, the highest since 2009, have been attracted to the first £1m Crabbie’s Grand National at Aintree on April 5.

A total of 115 entries, the highest since 2009, have been attracted to the first £1m (€1.2m) Crabbie’s Grand National at Aintree on April 5.

The talented Bryan Copper gave the hitherto enigmatic Giantofaman a superb drive to land the Munster Maiden Hurdle at Thurles yesterday.

Aidan O’Brien looks to have an exciting jumper on his hands again after the impressive success of Carriganog in the I.N.H Stallion Owners EBF Novice Hurdle at Wexford.

The progressive Double Seven, trained by Martin Brassil for J P McManus, completed a spectacular four-timer with a superb display in the Ladbrokes’ Munster National at Limerick yesterday.

Eric McNamara is looking to Questions Answered giving him a fourth win in the Guinness Kerry National.

Marchese Marconi provided Sarah O’Brien with her second success in the saddle when getting the better of odds-on favourite Pique Sous in the Gorey Race in Wexford last night.

Double Seven, trained for J P McManus by Martin Brassil, landed the €50,000 Gigginstown House Midlands National in dramatic circumstances at Kilbeggan last night.

The Jessica Harrington-trained Beachdale Lad, impressive on his chasing debut at Roscommon recently, enhanced his reputation when landing the Tyrrellspass Novice Chase in Kilbeggan last night.

Trainer Martin Brassil seems to have a potentially-decent prospect on his hands in Woodford County who lit up the first session of the two-day Kinsale point-to-point meeting at Farrangalway on Saturday evening by winning a particularly-competitive renewal of the five-year-old geldings’ maiden.

I want to start by describing what Punchestown achieved on Wednesday as quite brilliant.

Bob Lingo continued the tremendous run of owner JP McManus when bagging the €75,000 Dan Moore Memorial Handicap Chase on the final day of the Easter Festival at Fairyhouse.

BACK to the scene of his narrow and controversial defeat by Captain Cee Bee in July, the Edward O’Grady trained The Real Article proved an impressive winner of the Grade 3 Friends Of Tipperary Hurdle at Tipperary yesterday.

THE Tony McCoy-ridden Captain Cee Bee bagged the Kevin McManus Bookmakers Grimes Hurdle spoils at Tipperary yesterday, holding the tenderly-handled The Real Article by the minimum margin as both horses proved their well-being ahead of next week’s Galway Festival.

Gordon Elliott plans to run Backstage in the Ladbrokes Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse on April 25.

COUNTY CLARE owner/trainer Noel Glynn is set to launch a double assault at Aintree next week, with Becauseicouldntsee and Gonebeyondrecall on course to take on the famous National fences at the John Smith’s Grand National meeting.

“Recently Irish horses have done really, really well.”

SO YOUNG remains on course for the Neptune Investments Novice Hurdle at Cheltenham following a smooth success in the Punchestown.com For Festival Offers Novice Hurdle at Punchestown yesterday.

Garde Champetre repeated his win of 2008 in the Glenfarclass P.P. Hogan Memorial Cross Country Chase at Punchestown this afternoon.

I HAVE felt the need, for a little while now, to comment on the manner in which the Turf Club continues to roster its race-day officials.

WHEN the form book is throwing up very few clues then rowing in with a stable which can do little wrong at the moment is the best alternative.

I have decided to ride Kauto Star, in preference to Denman, in next month’s Cheltenham Gold Cup.

RUBY WALSH continued his phenomenal run of success when recording a superb four-timer at Wexford yesterday, brining his tally for the last seven racing days to an amazing 16 winners.

A young Irish trainer has the chance to put his name on the map in no uncertain fashion today — but it won’t have been by conventional means. Alan Fleming spoke to Declan Colley

Martin Brassil’s smart chaser Nickname has been retired to stud in France after winning nine races for the Co Kildare handler.

ROOKIE trainer, Eamonn O’Connell, was flying high after his Powerstation had landed the Irish Stallion Farms’ EBF Captain Christy Novice Chase at Clonmel yesterday.

Halcon Genelardais has been left at the head of the weights for the bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown on April 26.

BERNADETTE Coffey went to the church in Bantry yesterday morning and lit a candle for Paddy.

Darren Williams struck gold under the Wolverhampton floodlights with his first ride since July 2006.

Beef Or Salmon will face seven rivals in his bid to win an 11th Grade One in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Leopardstown on Sunday.