Raven’s Pass is taken to swoop in the Iveco Solario Stakes at Sandown tomorrow.

Gary McDermott defied rain squalls and winds gusting up to 30 mph to shoot a sensational 69 for a one shot lead after the opening round of the Irish Amateur Open at Royal Dublin.

Yesterday’s Prix d’Aumale at Chantilly was due to be a warm-up for Al Naamah ahead of next month’s Prix Marcel Boussac but Al Shaqab Racing might have a different contender altogether after pacemaker Shahah caused a mighty turn-up.

Danny Mullins crowned a hugely successful week by completing a fine double on Gitane Du Berlais and Martello Tower on the final day of Limerick’s Christmas meeting, bringing his tally for the week to five winners

Gary Evans today made a spectacular start to the first round of 133rd British Open Championship at Royal Troon.

Ian Woosnam restored some of his battered pride after going back on his promise to return to a short putter in the first round of the Celtic Manor Wales Open today.

It has been only five years and in the grand scheme of things that is nothing.

World number one Rory McIlroy’s peerless power and precision has put him in pole position at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic.

Pat Perez claimed his first PGA title as an eagle at the final hole sealed the Bob Hope Classic yesterday.

THERE was no dream return to racing for Ruby Walsh when his only mount of the afternoon, Salute Him, trailed in fourth of four behind Plan A in the Kerrymaid Hurdle at the opening stage of the Listowel festival yesterday.

“HE will be some horse if he ever settles,” quipped Ruby Walsh, after he had powered Willie Mullins’ Hurricane Fly to a glorious victory in the Stan James Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham yesterday.

DAVID MARNANE continued his excellent run when Syannn popped up at 14-1 in the Irish Stallion Farms’ EBF Fillies Handicap at Killarney last night.

OF the 12 Irishmen who have competed in the Masters, the best finishes were achieved by Pádraig Harrington, tied fifth in 2002, and Darren Clarke, who shared eighth place in 1998.

AMID the small flurry of new signings that descended on Aston Villa in the summer, the costliest of all has gone almost unnoticed this season.

GIOVANNI TRAPATTONI has already seen that Seamus Coleman is a star in the making.

ITALY’S Emanuele Canonica has been the European Tour’s biggest hitter four times but yesterday finally achieved what he wanted above all - a tournament victory.