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New dates for big National Hunt tests

YES, I know that they are more than seven months away, but changes have been made in the dates of the four big National Hunt festivals in Ireland and Britain in 2011. Always keen to ensure that they don't clash, or at least try to refrain from racing on the same days, Punchestown racecourse has moved next year's fixture into May. With Cheltenham taking March 15 to 18 and Aintree staging the Grand National on April 9, the two British racing festivals have a nice break between them.

■ Seán and Naomi Denton from Tacumshane enjoying the races.

Two-year-old fillies took the spotlight in Bettyville on Friday

THE CURTAIN came down on the last evening meeting of the year at Bettyville with a history-making flat fixture on Friday last. With the running of the Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Fillies Maiden at 5.30 p.m., this race over one mile and half a furlong was the first ever exclusively targeted at twoyear-olds to be run at the Wexford track.

Last evening meet fixed for Bettyville

By with DICK WHITE

THE LONG, hot summer comes to an end at Bettyville on Friday next with the last evening meeting of the 2010 horse racing season. With a seven-race card down for decision, the all-flat card could catch many out with an early start time of 4.25 p.m. Preliminary racing lists in some national racing journals shows racing opening at the Wexford town track with a two-year-old maiden over one mile and one hundred yards.

Rain fails to dampen the spirits

THE RAIN tried to dampen things but a good crowd enjoyed some good racing featuring the remaining heats of the Reggie and Phil Turner Memorial Leger, races three to eight.

O'Brien the toast of The Curragh again

By with DICK WHITE

AIDAN O'BRIEN was the toast of The Curragh on August 8 with a stunning halflength victory for 'Zoffany' in the Group 1 Keeneland Phoenix Stakes.

Battle in betting ring as all favourites lose

A GOOD crowd came to Bettyville recently where they were treated to a very competitive national hunt card. With another meeting in Tipperary on offer on the evening and the Aga Khan Cup down for decision in the RDS at the Horse Show, the attendance held up well.

'Brave Inca' back for Horse Show

By with DICK WHITE

'BRAVE INCA', the former champion hurdle winner at Cheltenham, was back at the horse show at the RDS last weekend as he attempted to defend his title in the race horse to riding horse class. Also in attendance amongst the 20 entries were 'Hardy Eustace', 'Harchibald', 'Beef or Salmon', ' War of Attrition' and 'Adamant Approach' in addition to other well-known former racing stars.

Fogarty saves his best yet for Galway

By with DICK WHITE

THE 2010 Autumn point-to-point fixture list has been announced with 28 meetings scheduled. Kicking off in Mid Antrim on September 25, the season close will be at the United Hunt fixture at Dungourney on Sunday, December 12. The south-east fixture list has the Shillelagh and District Foxhounds scheduled fixture at Fairwood Park on October 10, with the Killinick Harriers closing the month on the 31st at their track in Lingstown.

INSIDE RIGHT: Save the fashion shows for the catwalks

By DAVE DEVEREUX

AFTER ENJOYING the week-long feast of horse racing that is the Galway Festival, 'Inside Right' feels the need to have a rant about something that really gets under the skin regarding television coverage of the sport of kings - namely fashion.

O'Brien scores a nice Group 3 win Talking H HORSES

By with DICK WHITE

THE IRISH horse racing website, goracing. is currently highlighting the summer festivals of racing up until September of this year. With the Killarney July festival just over and Galway on for the rest of the week, the remainder of the summer sees a number of other meetings that might merit our attention.

Cleaning up our act

Should Wexford's litter problem be highlighted, in the hope of inspiring more people to do more to tackle it?

Yes 80%
No 20%

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