THE opening day of the flat season features the €100,000 Irish Linconshire and it sees the reappearance of last year’s runner-up in the shape of Aussie Valentine. The shrewd Paul Deegan stable have their string in super form with a winner and two seconds from the last four runners. Aussie Valentine was amongst those having finished second at Dundalk.

He settled in early and kept on sweetly as the race closed out failing by a mere half a length to give weight and a head start to the fast improving Hat Alnasar.