DONAL ‘The Duck’ Smith, who was so much involved in the fundraising efforts at The Minerstown Tavern in aid of the Jonjo Bright Trust and Irish Injured Jockeys Fund, is celebrating his 50th birthday with another fundraiser at Sean Rogan’s hostelry next Tuesday, April 19th.

“While what was to be our final ever fundraiser in aid of the Irish Injured Jockeys Fund was scuppered by the dreaded Covid back in 2020, plans are now being finalised for our Easter Tuesday Funrun, Walk & Raffle,” said Donal who has decide to split funds raised between the Irish Injured Jockeys Fund and the Irish Red Cross Ukrainian Appeal Fund.

“The event will be the culmination of a #50To50 challenge, whereby I’m running at least one mile per day for 50 days in the lead-up to my 50th birthday which is on – yes, you’ve guessed it – Easter Tuesday! It began on March 1st and, while it isn’t the most taxing undertaking that anyone has ever attempted, it does require a bit of effort.

“Raffle ticket sales are going well and can be bought via Paypal & Revolut (donalsmith@btinternet.com). There is the usual array of prizes including tickets to the Punchestown Festival and Galway Plate Day as well as an Irish National Stud family pass. People can check out what’s on offer on The Minerstown Tavern Facebook page and/or my Instagram (@minerstownduck), my Twitter (@donal190472), or via the email address above.

“After raising in excess of £25,000 in previous years, we’re very hopeful of another successful fund-raising event in aid of two very worthy causes this year again,” said Donal, adding as an incentive for readers to be more active on Tuesday, “the main run/walk route is about four miles but there is a shorter route for anyone who thinks they won’t stay the distance!”

BRIAN Hughes moved on to the 195-mark for the season on Wednesday at Southwell where he won the bumper, which was the third race on the card, on the Charlie Longsdon-trained racecourse newcomer, Rare Edition.

The five-year-old Califet gelding was placed in both his point-to-point starts when trained in Co Clare by Tom Costello.

Also over jumps, an excellent season for Co Sligo jockey Derek Fox continued last Friday at Aintree where he landed the Grade 1 Betway Mildmay Novices’ Chase on the Lucinda Russell-trained Ahoy Senor.

On Tuesday just past, Fox moved on to the 34-win mark with a double at Ayr where there were wins also for Elizabeth ‘Hammy’ Hamilton, Stuart Crawford and Brian Hughes in the opening novices’ hurdle and for Michael Dunlop, James Lambe and Liam McKenna in the maiden hurdle.

DOWNPATRICK racecourse manager Richard Lyttle and the track’s assistant manager, Ruth Morrison, were guests of sponsor Randox at Aintree last weekend and had a thoroughly enjoyable time.

While they were hoping that one of the Irish jockeys who regularly ride at Downpatrick was on board the winner of the Randox Grand National, Richard and Ruth were delighted when amateur Sam Waley-Cohen signed off his hugely successful career in the saddle by scoring on the Emmet Mullins-trained Noble Yeats.

Randox is also sponsor of Downpatrick’s feature race, the Ulster National, while, pre Covid, Sam too was a sponsor at the track through the Portman Dental Care group of which he is CEO.

Hopefully, with the easing of restrictions, the company will return to the ranks of sponsors when Sam would be hailed at the track for his achievement last Saturday.