Punchestown entry for Galvin

GRADE 1 chase winner Galvin tops the entries for next Wednesday’s Grade 3 Irish Daily Star Chase at Punchestown. The card also features the Grade 3 Buck House Novice Chase. Punchestown also races on Tuesday, its first jumps fixture since last spring.

Punchestown’s 2023 fixture list could look a little different when the full schedule is published, possibly next Tuesday. It has been reported that the Grade 1 John Durkan Chase which is normally run in early December could be brought forward by two weeks to late November and form a double-header with the Grade 1 Morgiana Hurdle. This new meeting would coincide with Haydock’s Betfair Chase fixture rather than Cheltenham’s Open meeting.

CAFRE open day next Saturday

ALL are welcome to attend Enniskillen’s College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) next Saturday (October 15th). The campus offers a range of third-level equine qualifications. Booking for the open day is essential at cafre.ac.uk

Extra Killarney flat fixture on Monday

KILLARNEY has attracted 168 entries for its extra flat meeting on Monday.

Announced earlier this week, the card features two maidens and three low-grade handicaps which are likely to be divided.

Passing of James Collins

FORMER jockey James Collins died last Monday. Originally from Athea, Co Limerick, he was champion claiming professional in 1989 and made a triumphant return to the saddle in 2015 to win the charity race at the Cheltenham Festival on Knight’s Parade, trained by his former boss, Dessie Hughes. Predeceased by baby Paddy, he is survived by his wife Fiona and children Molly and Grace.