LATEST ARTICLES
Racing
MARK BOYLAN: Why are we leaving our top staying hurdlers at home on DRF weekend?
Mark Boylan
Could an already excellent Dublin Racing Festival programme be even better? Mark Boylan examines how a Grade 1 hurdle over three miles at the meeting might be beneficial to many
23 January 2026 Columns
MARK BOYLAN: New rule change spells trouble for some of Mullins' Cheltenham team
Willie Mullins has so often been dangerous when running novices in Cheltenham Festival handicaps, but he looks light on qualified novices for those races in 2026
21 January 2026 Columns
SUBSCRIBER COLUMN: The massive numbers behind two of jumping’s top jockeys
Mark Boylan examines some of the factors that could determine the Irish National Hunt championship, and pays tribute to Sean Bowen
MARK BOYLAN: 'They're here to stay' - Queally success proves it can be done
In an ultra competitive Irish National Hunt scene, Mark Boylan believes I'll Sort That's Grade 1 win should give encouragement to many more operations
16 January 2026 Columns
MARK BOYLAN: Will bumper New Year's crowd tempt Cheltenham into Festival switch?
More people attended Cheltenham's New Year's Day card this year than day two of the 2025 Festival
9 January 2026 Columns
MARK BOYLAN: What must be different in 2026 for Gordon Elliott to be champion
It has been a sensational first half of the season for the Cullentra trainer, who has a clear lead in the Irish National Hunt Trainers' Championship
5 January 2026 Columns
MARK BOYLAN: My horses and jockeys to note for 2026
It's that time of year where we make predictions for the year ahead, and Mark Boylan has highlighted four horses and riders to watch out for
23 December 2025 Columns
MARK BOYLAN: Was Ger Lyons’ prediction right or wrong on the 2025 breeze-ups?
Back in May, the prominent trainer questioned if there was really value for buyers at the breeze-up sales
14 December 2025 Columns
MARK BOYLAN: A Constitution Hill conundrum and shrinking two-mile hurdle fields
Did you ever think you’d see the day that the dual Cheltenham Festival winner would be available at 16/1 for a Champion Hurdle?
5 December 2025 Columns
MARK BOYLAN: 0-89 - The Gold Cup record that Galopin Des Champs must overcome
This is the first season since 2021 that Galopin Des Champs did not start his campaign in the John Durkan Memorial Chase
28 November 2025 Columns
SUBSCRIBER ONLY: Top marks to this rider having a quietly brilliant season
Only Darragh O'Keeffe, Jack Kennedy and Paul Townend have ridden more winners in Ireland this season than the in-form Donagh Meyler
28 November 2025 Columns
MARK BOYLAN: Where will the horses come from to justify two all-weather tracks?
Mark Boylan looks into average field sizes at Dundalk during the winter, and how another all-weather venue at Tipperary could impact Irish racing
23 November 2025 Columns