The withdrawal of favourite Gary Hurley and Irish Close champion John Ross Galbraith has come as a major disappointment to organisers of the Clare Coast Hotels South of Ireland at Lahinch, which begins this morning.

Willie Mullins already has his string in tip-top form and he took the feature Polar Square Chase at Naas yesterday with Twinlight.

I was delighted with Bostons Angel finishing second in the cross-country chase at Cheltenham yesterday.

Talk about being brought down to earth with a bang. There were a couple of bright points but last weekend was largely disastrous, coming on the back of a tremendous period for the yard.

Hurricane Fly is likely to make his next appearance in the Istabraq Festival Hurdle at Leopardstown on December 29 after emerging safe and sound from his comeback run at the weekend.

It was another great week with two winners from five runners, with the other three delighting me as well, while I was pretty hopeful that Miss Macnamara and Posh Frock would go close in Dundalk last night too.

A SUCCESSFUL chasing debut for 148-rated hurdler Noble Prince proved the highlight of doubles for trainer Paul Nolan and bang-in-form Paul Carberry at Punchestown yesterday.

YOUR editorial marking the 10th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement (March 22) lauds various contributors to the 1998 accord, including Ian Paisley and Peter Robinson.

Women golfers from across the eastern district will this week battle it out in the last regional final of the inaugural AA Insurance Ladies Championships at St. Margaret’s Golf Club.

Rory McIlroy of Holywood Golf Club has won the Nissan Irish Boys Amateur Close Championship