HOW MANY times have I written about the ups and downs of this game? It’s a cliché of course but like most clichés it is based on truth.

I was thrilled with Laughing Lashes’s run when she finished second in the Moyglare Stud Stakes last week. It was a step up to Group 1 class and that was always going to be difficult but she ran her heart out.

TRAINER David Marnane is enjoying his best ever season and registered his 24th win of the campaign in Ireland when Maal came from last to first to win the Derrinstown Stud Apprentice Claiming Race in Clonmel last evening.

What a start it was for the Galway festival with an increase in attendance figures on the Monday from last year.