TOP amateur jockey Derek O'Connor starred on the second day of the Limerick festival yesterday with a double that included Coolnahilla's victory in the featured Tim Duggan Memorial Handicap Chase.

EDDIE HALES, based at Dundrum, Co Tipperary and one of the more colourful characters in the game, enjoyed a welcome turn when Public Reaction sprang a 16-1 surprise in the two mile October Race at Thurles yesterday.

CURRAGH trainer Dessie Hughes continued his impressive strike rate with his team of summer jumpers when Khairambar, carrying his own colours, scored a smooth success in the Parkhouse Stud Chase at Wexford last night.

WHAT’SONYOURMIND booked his ticket to the Weatherbys Champion Bumper at Cheltenham when making a successful debut, in very testing conditions, at Navan yesterday.

Ruby Walsh will miss the ride on Exit To Wave in today’s Martell Cognac Grand National after breaking his wrist at Aintree yesterday.

Venetia Williams is the beneficiary of a dispute between Irish trainer Michael Hourigan and the owners of Grand National candidate Inis Cara.