DOWN Royal racecourse is once again sponsoring a series of racehorse to riding horse classes this year, starting tomorrow at the pre-Balmoral Coleraine RDA show in the Causeway Coast Arena. The other shows to host a qualifier are Armagh, Enniskillen, Lurgan, Newry and Saintfield.

There’s racing at Down Royal on Monday next, May 1st, when the feature is the €20,000 Daily Mirror Handicap Chase won last year by the Arthur Moore-trained Mitebeall Forluck. Tilly Conway’s home-bred El Grande won that afternoon’s hunters’ chase, giving rider Mark McCrory his first win on the track.

Next Friday, May 5th, Downpatrick stages its Viva Las Vegas evening meeting with live music for all in the Laffy Bar after racing.