THE €100,000 Ellen Construction Thyestes Chase is the feature at Gowran Park today, but for the thousands set to flock to the track and those watching on television, assuming the meeting passes an 8am inspection this morning, the real attraction will be the return to action of former Cheltenham Gold Cup hero, Kicking King, in the Normans Grove Chase.

TOM TAAFFE hopes a spin at Fairyhouse this weekend will help Kicking King get back in the swing of racing as he prepares for another crack at the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Paul Nicholls is 1-4 with Coral to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup with reigning champion Kauto Star or the upcoming Denman after the latter stamped his class on the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown.

NOTRE Pere showed tremendous battling qualities to beat Abbeybraney a head in the Knight Frank Ganly Walters Novice Chase at Leopardstown yesterday.

RUBY WALSH, fresh from a spectacular return to the winner’s enclosure aboard Kauto Star at Kempton on St Stephen’s Day, can guide Denman to victory in the Grade 1 Lexus Chase at Leopardstown this afternoon.

KAZAL should open his account over fences in the three-mile Stamullen Beginners Chase at Fairyhouse today.

Sweet Kiln will face eight rivals as she bids to continue the Bowe family's amazing record in Sunday's Hatton's Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse.

French Accordion was handed a first-show quote of 20-1 for the Arkle after a seamless victory at Navan.

Butler's Cabin earned a quote of 33-1 for the 2008 John Smith's Grand National after pulling off a remarkable double with victory in the Powers Whiskey-sponsored Irish equivalent at Fairyhouse.

RUBY WALSH was the man to follow at Navan yesterday, notching a big-race double with Young Desperado and Snowy Morning.

HOMER WELLS made an amazing recovery after nearly being brought down to claim the Grade Two Woodlands Park 100 Slaney Novice Hurdle at Naas yesterday.

Aran Concerto looks a horse with a big future after gaining a facile success in the Grade One Barry & Sandra Kelly Memorial Novice Hurdle at Navan.

THURLES may be right at the bottom of the Racing Post’s list of what a racecourse should be, understandably, but is top of the hit-parade as far as racegoers are concerned.

PUNCHESTOWN should house a healthy attendance this afternoon to witness the reappearance of Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Kicking King in the Daily Star Chase.

JOUEUR D’ESTRUVAL, successful in the race a year ago, can do the business again in the Imperial Call Chase at Cork this afternoon.

TEEMING RAIN swooped late and fast to beat the gallant Sweet Kiln a short head in yesterday’s Michael Purcell Memorial Novice Hurdle at Thurles.

Pat Keane

The Bowe family farm at Gathabawn in Kilkenny is a horseracing phenomenon. Michael Bowe is the production manager and Limestone Lad was his first star. But current stable luminary Solerina could shine brightest of all. He spoke to Declan Colley.

Sweet Kiln put up a gutsy performance to get the better of Carraig Blue in the Mulhaddart Novice Hurdle after a dour struggle at Fairyhouse today.

Homer Wells made an amazing recovery after nearly being brought down to claim the Grade Two Woodlands Park 100 Slaney Novice Hurdle at Naas today.

Reigning champion hurdler Hardy Eustace and Irish darling Solerina are set to clash in Sunday’s Giltspur Scientific Tara Hurdle at Navan.

JACK HIGH, confidently handled by Garrett Cotter, proved a convincing winner of the €85,000 Stanleybet Troytown Handicap Chase at Navan yesterday.

CONOR O’DWYER was positively beaming after partnering Mouse Morris’ War Of Attrition to victory in the Irish Stallion Farms’ EBF Beginners Chase at Thurles yesterday.

THE Kilnaleck Maiden at Navan this afternoon sees the return to action of former Cheltenham Supreme Novices’ Hurdle hero Back In Front.

JIM BOLGER’S Pictavia is the nap choice to take the Group Three C L Weld Park Stakes at the Curragh today.