In-form Luke Dempsey again proved his star quality when partnering Thunder Zone, the outsider of just three runners, in the CIT race Week Hurdle on Student Race Day in Cork yesterday.

Dermot Weld’s Stuccodor will have to carry top weight to victory if he bids for back-to-back wins in the Tote Irish Lincolnshire on Sunday as the Irish Flat season gets under way at the Currgah.

Zarwaan is proving popular with punters ahead of the Betway Lincoln after Ed Dunlop indicated he was leaning towards running the four-year-old at Doncaster rather than in the Irish equivalent on Sunday.

The season’s leading rider, Mark Walsh, started the New Year in great style when completing a fine treble on Missyspet, Noble Emperor and Sword Fish in Fairyhouse yesterday.

Dermot Weld and Pat Smullen got the Irish Flat turf season off to the perfect start by taking out the two feature events on the opening afternoon of the campaign at the Curragh.

Bryan Cooper’s decision to partner Gigginstown House Stud’s Trifolium, in preference to Mozoltov, reaped a rich dividend in the Grade 1 Frank Ward Solicitors’ Arkle Novice Chase at Leopardstown yesterday.

Aidan O’Brien announced the probable riding arrangements for his three 2000 Guineas candidates at Newmarket on Saturday at Tipperary last night.

Indian Chief emerged as the best prospect from last night’s Students Day action in Leopardstown, justifying odds-on favouritism in the Bulmers Live At Leopardstown Summer Racedays Maiden and being earmarked as a possible contender for the Dante Stakes in York.

Jim Bolger continued his remarkable early-season form with a 510/1 treble in Gowran Park yesterday.

Galileo’s Choice justified 9/4 favouritism in the Ballyroan Stakes in Leopardstown last night, recording his second win at Group 3 level and confirming himself on course for the Irish St. Leger next month, with the Melbourne Cup looming as another possible target.