Singer Joni Mitchell is alert and is expected to make a full recovery, according to her website, despite a friend’s court filing that the Grammy-winner is unconscious and unable to care for herself.

Valseur Lido can make a successful debut over fences in the Gain Supporting Laois Beginners Chase at Punchestown this afternoon.

PETER HOOK emits a blokey chuckle. "Ian Curtis had very big shoes to fill," says the former Joy Division and New Order bassist. "Bernard Sumner’s shoes aren’t that big actually — about the same size as mine. So that worked out okay."

Dessie Hughes insists Our Conor “couldn’t be better” ahead of his second crack at Hurricane Fly in the BHP Insurance Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown on January 26.

Bryan Cooper believes First Lieutenant will be the one to beat if he runs in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Leopardstown on February 9.

Mouse Morris’ Spot Fine is the nap choice to get off the mark at the 18th attempt in the Mayo News Maiden Hurdle at Ballinrobe tonight.

Bryan Cooper was making his way back into the weighing room after yesterday’s second race when an already seismic afternoon took a turn that not even the most outlandish of childhood dreams could have conceived.

Mouse Morris can continue his good start to the campaign by saddling Rule The World to land the INH Stallion Owners’ EBF Novice Hurdle at Thurles this afternoon.

China Rock made a swift reappearance pay as he triumphed in thetote.com Punchestown Gold Cup.

CHINA Rock has been given a clean bill of health following his fine comeback run at Punchestown on Saturday.

THE Limerick Christmas Festival of 2011 will live long in the memory of New Ross youngster Ben Dalton who rode the first double of his career and his fourth winner in as many days at Greenmount Park yesterday.

THAT’LL do. Leinster last night recorded a perfunctory win to keep their Magners League play-off hopes firmly on message while Jonathan Sexton came through a useful 80 minutes unscathed.

FIRST LIEUTENANT can pull rank on his rivals in the Irish Stallion Owners’ EBF Novice Hurdle at Fairyhouse this afternoon.

Wolves 2 Southend 1

ON an afternoon when Niall Madden enjoyed a first ever four-timer, Jumbo Rio, fresh from two cracking efforts behind the high-class Rendons Grace at Auteuil, showed what a game customer he is when taking the featured Kevin McManus Bookmaker Grimes Hurdle at Tipperary yesterday.

Alan Quinlan will miss the British and Irish Lions tour of South Africa after being banned for 12 weeks.

THERE is a possibility of a somewhat truncated programme at Cork this afternoon, with racing subject to a 7.30 a.m inspection.

Seb Sanders refused to admit defeat in the duel for the jockeys’ championship after riding a short-priced treble at Catterick.

Key witnesses who forced the adjournment of the Morris Tribunal for two days running may have to foot the bill for bringing the Garda corruption probe to Donegal, the judge leading the inquiry said today.

A couple of things have happened lately which prompts one to consider a little re-think regarding some ideas already formed about Cheltenham.

Mouse Morris believes War Of Attrition’s poor run at Punchestown on Sunday was down to a stomach upset.

It will take a long time to rebuild public trust in gardaí after the damning Morris Report, the county’s largest garda union admitted today.

LAST NIGHT’S Cork County Board meeting heard a call for panels of inter county teams to be again reduced to 24 players.

A debate is expected to be held in the Dáil later this month on the shocking revelations of the second report from the Morris Tribunal.

IRELAND’S Stephen Browne carded a second round of three under par 67 to remain well in contention for his second European Challenge Tour title of the season at the Attijari Wafa - Tikida Beach Moroccan Classic.

Tracey Morris is hoping for a quieter existence after today’s BUPA Great Manchester Run – until August at least.

New Wales coach Mike Ruddock today named three uncapped players in his squad for next month's tour to Argentina and South Africa.

IT’S not the first time I’ve said this but thank goodness for Manchester United’s ability to produce off pitch interest when the on-pitch entertainment value drops to zero.

Leeds are preparing to discipline striker Mark Viduka following the Australian’s errant behaviour last week.

THE state of the surface was the main talking point at yesterday’s Anglo Irish Bank Handicap Chase meeting at Limerick.

A builder was today found guilty of bludgeoning three generations of one family to death with an iron bar.

John Gregory made his bow as Derby manager today, knowing victory was vital in his side’s battle to beat the drop.

Ireland international centre Mick Mullins helped himself to four tries

The Lions have made three changes for Saturday’s Test series decider against the Wallabies at Stadium Australia.