Horse racing: Busy schedule for racing

There is a massive programme of racing today, headed by the appearance of Istabraq at Leopardstown.

The nine-year-old, trained by Aidan O'Brien, competes in the Shell Champion Hurdle having been out of action since January.

And seven go to post this afternoon for the Tote Gold Trophy at Sandown. The race is a replacement for this year's Cheltenham Gold Cup, which was not run because of the foot-and-mouth outbreak.

First Gold will be a short priced favourite and will have to see off Nicky Henderson's Marlborough.