Brendan Duke reports all to be going well with Mister Benedictine as the in-form nine-year-old builds towards next week’s Guinness Galway Hurdle.

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.

Jim Bolger, a trainer who has more than stood the test of time, has been finding top-class horses throughout a long and distinguished career.

A first-and-last-race double for champion trainer Willie Mullins, thanks to Sin Palo and Tasitiocht, and both a winner and a two-day suspension for champion-jockey Davy Russell were the chief talking points in Kilbeggan yesterday.

Giovanni Trapattoni played the diplomat as he and his Republic of Ireland players were honoured at a civic reception in Montecatini this evening.

Long Time, No See

Bristol-based Aardman Animations, the Oscar-winning creators of 'Wallace and Gromit' and 'Chicken Run', discover their sea legs in this salty escapade based on the book by Gideon Defoe.

UK-based trainer George Prodromou has signalled his intention to appeal after being disqualified for eight years following the conclusion of a disciplinary hearing centring around the running of two horses at Lingfield in January 2010.

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

IN one of the best races seen all season, Limerick entrant See My Reflection, in rein to John Manning, just shaded long time leader Hurricane Henry in the final of the Mollie Brickley Memorial Golden Mile at Ballabuidhe yesterday.

FIRST published in 1980, Quentin Blake’s award-winning Mister Magnolia (Red Fox; €7.55) has been republished to entertain another generation.

RICHARD Fahey is assembling a strong team for Saturday’s William Hill Lincoln at Doncaster with Extraterrestrial, Albaqaa and Harrison George all heading for the Town Moor highlight.

David Pipe celebrated a double as the novice Great Endeavour put up a bold display of jumping to win the Byrne Group Plate this afternoon.

Mark Johnston moved a step closer to a second stanjames.com 2000 Guineas success as Awzaan maintained his unbeaten record with a powerful display in the Shadwell Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket.

Today's horse racing tips from selected courses in the UK.

The Department of Foreign Affairs is offering consular assistance to the family of an Irish man missing in Rome.

Paul Nicholls was left kicking himself after getting the tactics wrong with Kauto Star as his ace was nailed by Our Vic in a thrilling totesport Bowl at Aintree.

Kate Walton is hoping the handicapper’s verdict on Nevertika is accurate as the seven-year-old goes for glory in the Connaught Gold Cup Handicap Chase at Newbury on Saturday.

Colin Tizzard banished a 33-day losing run when Mister Quasimodo put his rivals to the sword in the Kempton Park Graduation Chase.

Denman is likely to face a small field in his final run before the Cheltenham Gold Cup as only 10 entries were received for the Aon Chase at Newbury on Saturday.

Mister Watzisname sprung a 20-1 surprise when claiming the Byrne Group plc Novice Hurdle at Punchestown.

GIVE the public what it wants and they will turn up in their droves is the clear message over the past couple of weeks.

Hellvelyn scorched into the Betfred Sprint Cup reckoning with a rousing victory in the Listed totepool Beverley Bullet Sprint Stakes.

Jamie Spencer was quickly on the scoresheet at Pontefract when Mister Fips justified favouritism in the EBF Evleyn Wilks 95th Birthday Maiden Stakes.

Martin Brassil has declared Nickname among a field of 12 for the Seasons Holidays Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

MRS GILLOW, who has been an excellent money-spinner for the Jim Bolger yard, landed the major feature of the Tralee Festival yesterday, the Guinness Gold Cup, in front of an attendance of 4,608.

RUBY WALSH is right on target to land another jockeys’ championship.

Ante-post favourite Mister Hight heads a field of 17 runners in the JCB Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival on Friday.

Mister Hight, who heads the ante-post market in some books for the JCB Triumph Hurdle, is a red-hot favourite with the sponsors for the Cashmans Juvenile Hurdle at Leopardstown on Sunday.

Napolitain and Tony McCoy just held on to take an incident-packed renewal of the Grade One totesport.com Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase at Sandown.

Albuhera and Armaturk will be out to continue the hot streak of Paul Nicholls in the Victor Chandler Chase at Cheltenham on Saturday.

There were joyous scenes in the winner’s enclosure after Al Eile’s victory in the Commhoist Logistics Champion Hurdle Trial at Haydock, the highlight of a Timmy Murphy 98-1 four-timer.

AL EILE will take his chance in the Commhoist Logistics Champion Hurdle Trial at Haydock today despite trainer John Queally’s concerns about the ground.

KAUTO STAR, 7-2 favourite with the sponsors for the Victor Chandler Chase at Cheltenham, has been ruled out of the race by trainer Paul Nicholls.

Willie Mullins has confirmed the talented duo Sadlers Wings and Mister Hight are in training with the long-term goal of competing at the Cheltenham Festival.

Jamie Spencer did some building of his own on ‘Builders’ Day’ at Folkestone today as a double re-established his advantage in the jockeys’ championship.

MOSCOW FLYER thrilled the crowds at Aintree yesterday as he put in a hugely impressive display to take the Grade One John Smith’s Melling Chase.

Moscow Flyer, Azertyuiop and Well Chief have all stood their ground ahead of an enthralling renewal of the Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham next Wednesday.

MOSCOW FLYER, Azertyuiop and Well Chief have all stood their ground ahead of an enthralling renewal of the Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham next Wednesday.

Moscow Flyer, Azertyuiop and Well Chief have all stood their ground ahead of an enthralling renewal of the Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham next Wednesday.

Trainer Alan Jarvis felt vindicated today after 16-1 chance Winners Delight scored at Lingfield Park following a troubled season for the gelding.

Mister Monet will bid to stretch his winning run to four in the Prix Guillaume d’Ornano at Deauville on Saturday.