John Jackson has revealed himself as the ‘hard man’ of Ireland’s senior men’s hockey squad, after admitting he was willing to continue playing even if he lost the sight in one eye.

Exciting grey Grands Crus is set to put his unbeaten record over fences to the test in the Betfair Don’t Settle For Less Novices’ Chase at Newbury on Saturday.

RIDING Hinterland in the opening juvenile hurdle at Cheltenham is a good way to start the day and I’ll be disappointed if he doesn’t win.

KAUTO STONE and Wishfull Thinking were among half a dozen defectors from the William Hill King George VI Chase at Kempton on Stephen’s Day.

CORK Church of Ireland will look to a clutch of youngsters to help in their bid to reclaim the men’s Irish Junior Cup when they welcome Mossley to Garryduff tomorrow (2pm).

NICKY HENDERSON achieved a notable first yesterday as a four-timer at Kempton contributed to a grand total of seven winners from seven runners.

BARRY GERAGHTY must have almost despaired of getting it right this week.

Bobs Worth and Mossley gave Nicky Henderson a notable one-two in the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham for his first winner of the meeting.

PEMBROKE WANDERERS are free to concentrate on their quest for an Irish Senior and Junior Cup double this weekend after Mossley chose not to take an eligibility query any further.

A PLAYER eligibility issue involving defending Irish Senior Cup champions Pembroke Wanderers threatens to overshadow the Dubliners’ quest to retain the trophy when they lock horns with Cookstown at Belfield on Sunday (1.15).

NEW Ireland senior men’s hockey coach Paul Revington gets his first chance to see his new charges in action later this month as Scotland arrive for a three-game series.