Trainer Oliver Brady received a welcome boost when Duroob, ridden by Adrian Heskin, won the marathon Toals Bookmakers Ulster Grand National in Downpatrick yesterday, getting the better of fellow lightweight and favourite Talab by three lengths.

PUNCHESTOWN are covering four miles of the track, which is a first on an Irish racecourse, in a bid to beat the forecasted freezing temperatures, ahead of Sunday’s Boylesports.com Chase day.

More than 200 jobs were created today at an accountancy firm and plastic bottle recycling facility.

SUPERCEDE continued Gordon Elliott’s tremendous run of success when coasting to an effortless win under Paul Carberry in the Loughnagore Handicap Chase in Kilbeggan last night.

DUROOB, trained by Oliver Brady for Rita Shah, outstayed his rivals to land the featured Leo Dolan Memorial Handicap Hurdle at Roscommon last night.

THE Permanent TSB Ethnic Entrepreneur of the Year Awards 2008 were launched in Dublin yesterday.