Dignam confident of Irish win

DERMOT DIGNAM, Race Organiser of the FBD Insurance Rás which gets under way in Kilcullen on Sunday, feels there could be an Irish winner this year despite the impressive field.

Among the starters will be former world champion and two-time Olympic medallist, Chris Newton, who will be bidding to become only the third rider to win the title three times – Shay O’Hanlon won it four times – having tried last year but he will have his work cut out again.

“There are a lot of very good riders in there and there are some very good professionals,” Dignam said. “But there is a very good possibility that they could cancel each other out.