IT isn’t very often a horse heads to the racecourse seeking a four-timer, gets beaten and emerges with reputation not just intact, but enhanced.

THE last time Irish Invader won a race, he provided us with a successful nap.

“HE’S a genius at his trade”, exclaimed Michael Hourigan of Ruby Walsh, after the champion jockey had powered the trainer’s Spaceman to victory in the Holycross Maiden Hurdle at Tipperary yesterday.

SEAN FLANAGAN, yet another of the up-and-coming young jockeys in Ireland at the moment, was seen to particularly good effect when taking the Kerry Spring Water Hurdle aboard Kingsmaster at the final stage of the Listowel Festival yesterday.