IT WAS a mixed week for still impressionable thirtysomethings. In front of a Bologna police station and inside a hall in Dundalk, two 90s heroes made a little news.

MICHAEL Hourigan is not afraid of taking on Little Josh again in the December Gold Cup with Dancing Tornado.

TORNADO SHAY will be expected to make a successful hurdling debut in today’s Bennettsbridge Maiden Hurdle at Gowran Park.

Little Josh (20-1) put in a spectacular round of jumping to lead from pillar to post in the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham.

MICHAEL HOURIGAN believes Dancing Tornado is the “one they have to beat” in the Ladbrokes.com Munster National at Limerick tomorrow.

THE connections of 50-1 shot Penny’s Bill, good luck to them, and the bookmakers had every reason to toast the Irish racing authorities last Sunday night.

LEADING Flat jockey Seamie Heffernan is looking forward to teaming up with Fen Game for Edward O’Grady in the Pierse Hurdle at Leopardstown on Sunday.

Tony Martin would like to see rain ahead of the Pierse Hurdle at Leopardstown on Sunday for his two runners, Psycho and Robin du Bois.

NEWMILL will be required to carry top weight should John Murphy let his charge take his chance in Sunday’s Pierse Hurdle at Leopardstown.

Sublimity will attempt to regain his Champion Hurdle crown at Cheltenham on top of his game after providing rookie trainer Robbie Hennessy with a first win in the Leopardstown Golf Centre December Festival Hurdle.

TOM TAAFFE, who has his horses in terrific shape, landed another decent prize when Tumbling Dice ran away with the Grade 2 O'Connell Logistics Hilly Way Chase at Cork yesterday.