Friday's Punchestown Preview

3:40pm There's the the usual eccentricity to this event with the 2009 and 2010 winners renewing rivalries. Shin A Vee won in 2009 but was narrowly beaten by COOL WARRIOR the following year and, while Derek O'Connor is a notable booking, Shin A Vee has been absent for 772 days and is now passed over. Preference is for 12 year old COOL WARRIOR, who at least has proven fitness on his side. The other 14 runners have mustered just 10 point to points wins between them and finding a form alternative to either of the two previous winners is difficult. Ten year old Norwich Flyer has three point to point wins to his name though and may play a prominent roll while Enniskillen, who worringly is still a maiden point to pointer, ran ok in the Ladies Cup on Tuesday and has minor claims. The Begrudger is a dual point to point winner a long time ago but hasn't shown anything worth mentioning recently. (TW) Fri 26th Apr

Pique Sous right back to his best

Pique Sous showed no ill-effects from his disappointing run at the Cheltenham Festival when picking up valuable compensation in the Grade 2 novice hurdle at Fairyhouse. Mon 01st Apr

Cops fend off Gaoise

Always on the gallop, Cops And Robbers (around 4/5 this morning into 8/15) landed the opening Wexford Opera Maiden Hurdle. Sun 28th Oct

Rio takes opener in style

Sizing Rio ran out an easy winner of the opening maiden hurdle at Fairyhouse this afternoon. Tue 23rd Oct

More Fairyhouse joy for McManus & McCoy

Tony McCoy and J P McManus combined for their fifth winner of the Fairyhouse Festival when Ballynacree saw it out best in the opening Grade 3 Weatherbys Ireland GSB Hurdle. Tue 10th Apr