The preview nights have started in earnest and it’s a case of counting down the days to Cheltenham, after so long ticking off the weeks.

The rain is back and that has led to a lot of plans being binned at the last minute.

DUNDALK is going to trial a reduced interval of time between races from next month and it is certainly worth doing in my opinion. What they’re planning is to reduce the gap between some races from the usual 30 minutes to 25.

I GO to The Curragh today fresh from a trip to Blenheim for my latest three-day event.

HENRY DE BROMHEAD’S Royal Choice has a leading chance in the Tipperary Home Of Hurling Hurdle at Clonmel tonight.

PATHFORK has been withdrawn from the Minstrel Stakes at the Curragh today as he suffered a bit of a setback.

SIREN’S SONG was a hot topic of discussion after last Sunday’s racing in Navan and I have to say she won the Salsabil Stakes very well. I said last week I thought she might be good and she certainly indicated that with a strong finish to win by a length and a half.

GOOD Time Donie can cheer up punters no end by landing the William Hill EBF Maiden Hurdle at Downpatrick today.

HOW MANY times have I written about the ups and downs of this game? It’s a cliché of course but like most clichés it is based on truth.

THE Terence O’Brien-trained Ballyadam Brook continued his massive progress when completing a spectacular four-timer in the South West Bins Novice Hurdle at Listowel yesterday.

What a start it was for the Galway festival with an increase in attendance figures on the Monday from last year.

THE past week has been an extremely eventful one. Overall, it has been very successful but with just a bit of luck it might have been even better.