Sizing John was Moone, Co Kildare trainer Jessica Harrington’s first runner in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, and last week he duly landed the biggest prize of the jumping calendar, writes Joe Finnegan.

Award-winning Irish animation studio Cartoon Saloon has created a short film narrated by Moone Boy star Chris O’Dowd especially for children going into hospital for an operation.

Boyle celebrates Chris O’Dowd.

Tom George was thrilled to enjoy a welcome change of luck at the Punchestown Festival as God’s Own caused a huge surprise in the Ryanair Novice Chase in the hands of the irrepressible Barry Geraghty.

Steve Wall talks to Siobhán Cronin about celebrating 25 years of The Stunning and his role as Uncle Danny in Moone Boy

Ireland’s hottest actor Chris O’Dowd showed he has the Midas touch yesterday as his semi-autobiographical sitcom Moone Boy received a string of nominations at the British Comedy Awards.

Three weeks ago, the Michael Stoute-trained Dank finished three parts of a length behind all-the-way winner Ladys First and she crosses swords with her conqueror once more in this afternoon's Group 3 Atalanta Stakes (3.25) at Sandown.

The Dick Hern Listed Fillies’ Stakes at Haydock (4.00) is a really competitive looking race but it provides an opportunity for the rapidly progressive Dank to earn some black type.

A MAN accused of murdering Michaela Harte previously admitted he and another man killed her, a preliminary enquiry into her death heard yesterday.

IRISH racing has plenty to be positive about despite a testing year but “radical changes” must be made if some race tracks are to avoid going to the wall.

JESSICA Harrington’s ability as a trainer covers all codes and all distances but, until last night, winning Listed races with newcomers was not something one associated with the Moone, Co Kildare handler.

DUNDRUM, Co Tipperary trainer, Mick Murphy, enjoyed his biggest success to date when Jubilant Note stormed away with the Listowel Races Supporters' Club Lartigue Handicap Hurdle at the Kerry track yesterday.