The nominees for the 2012 Horse Racing Ireland awards were announced yesterday and includes a new category – Racecourse of the Year.

Davy Russell paid his tribute to the Gigginstown House Stud team after being crowned Ireland’s champion National Hunt jockey for the first time on Saturday.

The hugely exciting Sir Des Champs bids to maintain his unbeaten run since joining Willie Mullins in the Growise Champion Novice Chase at Punchestown today.

CHARLIE SWAN’S Stephanie Kate made a successful return to flights when producing a fine display in the Munster Hurdle at Clonmel yesterday.

Alasi booked her ticket for a third trip to the Cheltenham Festival with a narrow victory in the Sky Bet Mobile For Android Doncaster Mares' Hurdle on Town Moor this afternoon.

Alasi had no trouble landing short odds in today's EBF/TBA Mares' Novices' Chase at Ludlow.

DERMOT WELD’S Unaccompanied has to be the nap choice in the Listed Naas Vet Panel Supporting Racing Fishery Lane Hurdle at the Co Kildare track this afternoon.

AFTER the first two days of the National Hunt Festival had failed to throw up a winning favourite, punters could have been forgiven for holding bookies in the same regard as bankers.

Willie Mullins is considering the next plan of attack for Thousand Stars following his fine effort in defeat in yesterday’s John Smith’s Aintree Hurdle.

Holmwood Legend sprang a 25-1 surprise to lift the Byrne Group Plate at Cheltenham for trainer Pat Rodford and 3lb claimer Keiran Burke.

HERE’S a tip for Cheltenham — don’t bet. But, of course, such words of wisdom will be completely lost in the festival air — though there is the possibility they might be fleetingly recalled after the last race has been run next Friday.

HURRICANE FLY will miss his intended outing this weekend at Punchestown in the Grade 1 The Dobbins & Madigans at Punchestown Hurdle (Morgiana Hurdle).

IF Kauto Star is anywhere near the horse he has been throughout his career then you’d have to think him capable of dismissing the opposition at Down Royal today.

LAST season’s Irish Hennessy Gold Cup hero Joncol could kick off his campaign in the Fortria Chase at Navan over two miles.

DAVID Casey, who will be in action for Willie Mullins in Auteuil on Sunday, continued his rich vein of form when scoring on even-money favourite Glenstal Abbey in the Summer BBQ Evening June 12th Maiden Hurdle at Clonmel last night.

AS A gambling novice, after a day on a high stool in a city centre pub in Cork, ‘studying’ the form like a monkey with an abacus, I ended the day’s racing yesterday with a recession-busting total of €15.36.