The draw for the 2015 Irish Laurels was made yesterday afternoon at Curraheen Park and, despite concerns of a lack of numbers, management have brought together 66 greyhounds for Saturday night’s opening round.

There was a victory for patience and perseverance in Saturday night’s final of the Hennerty Sales Cork Oaks at Curraheen Park as Rastafari Chic landed the €5,500 winner’s prize for Vic and Jackie Roche, Waterford.

Paul McAuley’s 20th novel is the ultimate bailout narrative. Economic collapse, environmental destruction, terrorism, and political extremism have crippled the world, but help is here in the form of the Jackaroo. 

A nurse accused of murdering and poisoning patients was getting bullied at the hospital where he worked, a court heard.

What to watch on the box tonight.

The nap vote at the Curragh tomorrow goes to Michael Halford’s once-raced Portage in the Irish Stallion Farms’ EBF Maiden.

Victoria Beckham celebrated her 40th birthday by hiking the Grand Canyon this week.

Surrounded by snow and ice in Sochi, a husband and wife won Olympic medals within just minutes of each other in a heart-warming tale.

David Beckham has become an uncle for the fifth time.

Danny Dyer claims he will be the saviour of 'EastEnders'.

We’d all like to see six dogs line up for the Derby — not least connections of Kereight King — but there are five great stories with those still standing and I don’t suppose whoever is lucky enough to pick up the trophy and the €125,000 cheque on Saturday night will worry about how many rivals his/her greyhound beat in the final.

It’s been a testing few weeks on the track, with the unfortunate injury to reigning champ Skywalker Puma and the prospect of ante-post favourite Ballymac Vic exiting the ETS Irish Derby without lining up for Saturday night’s first quarter-final at Shelbourne.

Victoria Beckham wants David Beckham to be the next James Bond.

Huddleston Road

Huddleston Road

Ballymac Vic, who was beginning to make a real impact on the Irish Derby when his challenge was cut short at the quarter-final stage, came out on top in the hottest of last Saturday night’s opening-round heats of the Connolly’s Red Mills Irish Laurels at Curraheen Park and he rates nap material to follow up this evening.

Only 22 will take their place in this evening’s quarter-finals of the Ladbrokes.com Irish Derby following the withdrawal of Stay Thirsty early in the week and the sad news that Broadstrand Lad has run his last race.

Great Britain’s men’s team pursuit squad claimed a thrilling Olympic gold in a world record time on the second day of competition at the London 2012 Olympic Velodrome last night.

Milldean Panther will miss the upcoming Ladbrokes.com Derby and will not race again this year. That was the disappointing news that broke yesterday morning following the confirmation that he has an injured Achilles.

Invariably the commencement of the Townviewfoods.com Champion Stakes signals the arrival of “Derby fever” at Shelbourne Park and there will be an extra lift to the racegoers’ strides at headquarters this evening where a high-class programme includes the three semis of both the Champion and the associated Plate.

Victoria Beckham left the Spice Girls reunion early because she wanted to put her baby daughter to bed.

Rob Brydon has slammed plans for a 'Gavin and Stacey' musical as "pants".

VIC Venturi is to continue his build-up to Aintree with a run in a hunter chase at Leopardstown later this month following his victory in a point-to-point on Sunday.

Amy Winehouse was reportedly in the process of adopting a 10-year-old girl when she died.

Victoria Beckham is set to give birth on Independence Day, July 4, this year.

Willie Mullins’ Mourad (4-9 favourite) had no trouble in landing the odds in the Grade Two Galmoy Hurdle at Gowran.

'EastEnders' stalwart Peggy Mitchell wails with horror tonight as she sees her beloved Queen Vic - and the memories of a decade and a half in Albert Square - go up in flames.

ONE of soapland’s most famous pubs will go up in flames as EastEnders’ Queen Vic is destroyed by fire later this year, TV bosses confirmed yesterday.

Victoria Beckham is on a waistline-expanding diet in a bid to get pregnant.

WILLIE MULLINS has finally given up the fight to get the brilliant Mikael D’Haguenet to Cheltenham.

Victoria Beckham has reportedly offered Cheryl Cole a place to stay as she copes with the latest stories to rock her marriage.

Victoria Beckham is desperate to have a baby girl.

Check out our tips from today’s horse races across Ireland and the UK.

Willie Mullins’ Sesenta fended off the challenge of red-hot favourite Changingoftheguard to snatch victory in the totesport Ebor at York today.

A maximum field of 20 will go to post for Wednesday’s totesport Ebor at York, including Aidan O’Brien’s ante-post favourite Changingoftheguard.

Declan Carroll is praying there will be some cut in the ground when Hits Only Vic returns to York for the totesport Ebor next month.

ALAN King believes he has Voy Por Ustedes in A1 condition as his chaser bids to win three different races at the Cheltenham Festival.

Last year’s winner Our Vic is among a 48-strong entry for the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham on March 12.

KAUTO Star suffered a second successive defeat as Paul Nicholls’ ace was nailed right on the line by Our Vic in a dramatic finish to the totesport Bowl at Aintree yesterday.

Inglis Drever could be retired rather than attempt another Cheltenham Festival success after landing a famous third victory in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle.

Kauto Star carved his name into racing folklore with an imperious display in winning his second Stan James King George VI Chase at Kempton.

Exotic Dancer will head a maximum field of nine in the Betfair Bowl at Aintree on Thursday after one extra entry was made following the reopening of the race.

NICKY Richards hopes Monet’s Garden can justify a short price when he lines up in the Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival today.

Our Vic remains in line to make his next appearance in the Letheby & Christopher Chase at Cheltenham at the end of next month.