Horse Racing Ireland CEO Brian Kavanagh joins Peter McNamara for a special edition of the Irish Examiner’s Paper Talk podcast series.

We examine five of the main talking points from day three of the Cheltenham Festival.

Riddle me this, how is Willie Mullins’ Melon still favourite for Cheltenham’s Supreme Novices’ Hurdle?

Don Poli, favourite for the Randox Health Grand National with most bookmakers, is a doubtful runner according to Eddie O'Leary.

Don Cossack has been announced as the highest-rated jumps horse of the 2014/15 season in the Anglo-Irish Jump Classification on a mark of 175.

Coneygree has become the highest-rated novice chaser over any distance this century following his sensational performance in the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Colm Greaves looks at the Cheltenham Triumph Hurdle, Noel Meade’s prospects and novice chasers.

Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Lord Windermere and last year’s Aintree winner Pineau De Re star among 98 entries for the Crabbie’s Grand National on April 11.

Wigan owner Dave Whelan has apologised for any offence and defended his position after being accused of anti-Semitism and told he is not “fit and proper” to run a club.

Wigan chairman Dave Whelan landed himself in hot water last night after claiming the word "chink" is not a derogatory term and "Jewish people chase money more than everybody else".

Wigan owner Dave Whelan has been accused of anti-Semitism as the controversy over the the club’s appointment of Malkay Mackay as manager deepens.

A surgeon who contracted Ebola while working in his native Sierra Leone has died in a US hospital.

A surgeon from Sierra Leone being treated for ebola in a Nebraska hospital on Saturday was critically ill after being airlifted back from Africa, medical officials said.

Health officials in Australia have confirmed a 57-year-old woman is being tested for Ebola after returning to the country from Sierra Leone.

Willie Mullins is convinced Hurricane Fly will improve by at least 5lb before the record-breaker bids to win the Champion Hurdle for a third time at Cheltenham in March.

Sprinter Sacre might have been below-par the last time he was seen in action at Punchestown but he was still able to finish by far and away the top chaser of the Anglo-Irish Jump Classifications, published yesterday.

So, everyone is happy with last Saturday’s Grand National at Aintree then, the BHA, RSPCA (fairly), press and, of course, Aintree itself.

John Smith’s Grand National handicapper Phil Smith has defended his decision to allot leading contender Seabass a burden of 11st 2lb in the Aintree showpiece.

Frankel was finally granted the ultimate position in the recent history of Flat racing as the World Thoroughbred Rankings announced him as the highest-rated horse since their system began in 1977 with a mark of 140.

A teacher from south-east London has appeared in court via videolink charged with abducting a teenage girl.

Lawyers for runaway teacher Jeremy Forrest said the “full story” of his disappearance with a teenage pupil will emerge after he agreed to his extradition back to the UK.

British teacher Jeremy Forrest who went missing with his teenage pupil Megan Stammers will not fight extradition proceedings against him and has agreed to return to the UK “as soon as possible”, his lawyers said today.

British Horseracing Authority head of handicapping Phil Smith is keen to see Investec Derby hero Camelot tested against older horses so his full potential can be realised.

Kauto Star has regained his crown as the top-rated steeplechaser, in the annual Anglo-Irish Jumps Classifications, for the second time in his remarkable career.

We’ll hear it all week, hopefully in the ceremony in the log cabin afterwards too: he learned.

The managerial vacancy at Wolves is a role that finally whetted the appetite of Alan Curbishley, according to his agent.

CORK’S finest are running out of time to catch Catholic Institute, after the Limerick side showed off their clinical short corner conversion ability with a 5-1 win over UCC at The Mardyke on Saturday.

FRANKEL has been officially rated 4lb clear of the field as the best racehorse on the planet after the announcement of the World Thoroughbred Rankings.

BANDON will look to be the fly in Cork Harlequins’ ointment in a clash that is likely to end the losers’ faint title hopes at Harlequin Park tomorrow (12pm).

IRELAND senior men’s coach Paul Revington received a deserved early Christmas gift yesterday when he was named as one of world hockey’s best coaches for 2011.

CORK CHURCH of Ireland were left to rue a couple of early defensive howlers as their title ambitions were taken out of their hands by Cork Harlequins on Saturday.

CLIODHNA SARGENT could be set to get an early Christmas present this weekend — her 100th Irish senior cap.

Sunderland defender Titus Bramble has been charged with two counts of sexual assault and one of urinating in a public place.

Reality TV star Jade Goody is the latest alleged victim of phone hacking by the News of the World.

FAST becoming Munster hockey’s answer to Everton — and not just because they wear blue — Ashton are a fine example of how to make the best of their resources.

OFFICIAL handicapper Phil Smith is planning to give Pour Moi the lowest rating for a Derby winner since Sir Percy in 2006.

CAPTAIN Cee Bee is reported to be in fine shape ahead of his bid for the Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham.

CORK HARLEQUINS were left cursing themselves for going to sleep at the start of extra-time, allowing Cork Church of Ireland to plunder a golden-goal victory in Saturday’s Munster Senior Cup semi-final at Farmer’s Cross.

HARBINGER’S performance in the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes earned him a rating of 135 as he was announced the clear leader in the 2010 World Thoroughbred Rankings, unveiled yesterday.

CONNECTIONS of Workforce will see how their star colt is over the next fortnight before deciding on whether to have a tilt at the Breeders’ Cup Turf.

Sheffield Wednesday started their npower League One campaign with a 2-0 victory over Dagenham & Redbridge.