Eoghain Ward

THE colours of Alan Potts have become a more regular presence between the flags in recent times, with his horses winning seven races last spring, including a brace of opens with Aupcharlie for Henry de Bromhead.

That trend looks set to continue into the new season despite Potts and de Bromhead parting company earlier this year. The aforementioned former Grade 1 runner-up was chief amongst his pointing runners last season, and he has now joined Jim Dreaper, while Mouse Morris, who also benefitted from the split, now also has Buckers Bridge under his care, who could makes his open debut tomorrow at Dromahane.

The 10-year-old, himself a former Grade 2 winner, was last seen running in the Byrne Group Plate at the Cheltenham Festival for de Bromhead eight months ago, and he is likely to run at Dromhane on Saturday.

Grand Jesture, another of the former de Bromhead horses now stabled at Dreaper’s Dublin yard, who finished second at the 2015 Festival, is also among the entries at the Cork venue.

Loss of

Bennetsbridge

The Kilkenny hunt, who were in action on Sunday at Grennan, are scheduled to return to that track on the banks of the River Nore in Thomastown for two spring fixtures in March and May, as their previous spring track at Bennetsbridge, a course which produced the likes of the Grade 1 John Durkan winner Tranquil Sea and Grade 1 Betfair Chase victor Snoopy Loopy, is no longer available.

Last season’s meeting at Bennetsbridge in late February was lost to the elements and rescheduled to the neighbouring Grennan course, however the land at Bennetsbridge has now been turned into a dairy farm.