Early Doors can set the tone for a good day for the green, white and gold colours of owner JP McManus, by taking the Guinness Beginners’ Chase which gets Galway Hurdle day underway at 2pm.

PROUD To Be Irish can give us a big run in the Guinness Galway Hurdle at Ballybrit this afternoon. He represents a combination, Seamus O’Farrell and his son James, who may not be the most fashionable, but whom you underestimate them at your peril.

SOME things never change!

JIM CULLOTY, the man who partnered Best Mate to successive Cheltenham Gold Cup triumphs in 2002, 2003 and 2004, has announced his retirement from the saddle.