Replacement date

PUNCHESTOWN will race on Monday, May 22nd, replacing the Sligo card cancelled on the same date. Racing starts at 5.45pm.

There are no chases on today’s Wexford card due to ground conditions. Two hurdle races have been divided to make a six-race card. A two-mile beginners chase has been transferred from Wexford to Roscommon next Monday night and the original entries stand.

Tote bet in HK

THOSE seeking a betting fix on Sunday morning can now punt on Hong Kong races with the Tote. This week Tote Ireland began offering betting options on all Hong Kong Jockey Club fixtures. Sunday’s card at Sha Tin features Group 1 races at 9am and 9.40am. Hong Kong boasts the biggest per-race betting turnover in the world and Irish players will initially be allowed to bet into the win, place and tierce (Trifecta) pools.

Postponed retires

MULTIPLE Group 1 winner Postponed has been retired after suffering an injury. Trained initially by Luca Cumani and more recently by Roger Varian, the six-year-old son of Dubawi won the Dubai Sheema Classic, the Coronation Cup and the Juddmonte International last season but he was beaten twice in Dubai this year and has been diagnosed with a stress fracture.

Papillon dies

TED Walsh has paid tribute to 2000 Grand National winner Papillon who has died, aged 26. Owned by Betty Moran, Papillon was a 10/1 shot when victorious at Aintree. Walsh said: “He had speed and stamina and was a brilliant leaper – everybody who rode him always came in and said he was an absolutely magnificent jumper. He was a horse of a lifetime, the real deal.”

French target

CONEYGREE’S impressive showing in last week’s Punchestown Gold Cup could see him get a shot at the French Champion Hurdle. The Mark Bradstock-trained 10-year-old finished third behind Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Sizing John and Djakadam at Punchestown. Sara Bradstock, assistant to her husband, said: We could go to Auteuil for the French Champion Hurdle. I’ve got a few people looking at the ground as I’ve heard mixed opinions - some people say it’s beautiful soft ground and others say it’s a bit patchy.”

Awards online

THE Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Awards will be streamed live from the Newpark Hotel, Kilkenny, next Tuesday night. Streaming will begin once the awards ceremony is underway at approximately 9pm and can be accessed through www.studandstablestaffawards.ie.

Profits up

THE Paddy Power Betfair group reported a 23% increase in revenues to £416 million (€492 million) for the first three months of this year. Underlying operating profits rose by 114% to £91 million, in part due to favourable results at Cheltenham and ongoing cost-savings since the two bookmaking giants merged.