Racing: Denis O'Regan will be looking to continue his recent run of big-race success when he gets the leg-up on Preists Leap in the Powers Whiskey Irish Grand National on Easter Monday.
O'Regan has enjoyed a memorable first season as Howard Johnson's retained rider and broke his Cheltenham Festival duck on Tidal Bay in the Arkle and topped that by partnering Inglis Drever to a record-breaking third World Hurdle.
Trainer Thomas O'Leary has been quick to snap up O'Regan's services for the Thyestes Chase winner and is hoping his good run continues.
"I started looking for Denis earlier in the week and I'm delighted he has committed to ride our horse on Monday," said O'Leary.
Clonakilty-based O'Leary, who has been on a winning streak of late, added: "The ground the last day at Thurles was just too dry for him and the trip on the short side, but he has an ideal racing weight (10st 4lb) and is in super shape, so all being well I'm expecting him to run a big race on this more testing ground."
And O'Leary should get his wish, as clerk of the course Joe Collins confirmed.
"The going is now soft throughout on both the chase and hurdle track and we'll be using fresh ground every day on the hurdle track and also fresh ground for the Grand National on Monday," said Collins.