Drying ground at Leopardstown greatly reduced the impact of the traditional after-racing gallops ahead of the Cheltenham Festival.

THE featured Guinness Handicap Hurdle at Listowel yesterday saw Princeton Plains give trainer Eddie Harty a first winner at the track.

IT has been a frustrating festival at Galway to date and before last night’s racing, we had five seconds, a third and four fourths.

WHEN Moon Dice won his maiden hurdle at Limerick a year ago trainer, Paul Flynn, described him as the best he’d ever had.

WIJIKURA, having a first outing for Robbie Hennessy, can land the nap in the three-year-old Hurdle at Killarney this evening.

THE familiar colours of champion owner J P McManus dominated last night’s action in Sligo as Carrigmartin, Alpine Eagle and Ross Bay, all favourites, obliged for him.