Latest news with #DownMemoryLane
Irish Daily Mirror
30-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Galway Races tips Wednesday: Robbie Power's selections for Galway Plate day
Down Memory Lane is fancied to give Gordon Elliott his fifth Galway Plate success this evening, which would put him one win in the race ahead of Dermot Weld. It's a good renewal, but I'm opposing the favourite, Nurburgring. I don't think his jumping is good enough to win a Galway Plate. He won a small runner novice chase the last day in Killarney and still made mistakes. I think his jumping will catch up with him. Amirite won the Midlands National at Kilbeggan earlier this month, he wears first-time blinkers, which could bring about improvement. But Down Memory Lane is very interesting for me. He was second on his penultimate start to Lecky Watson in a Grade 3 novice chase at Punchestown and drops into a handicap here. I think off a mark of 145, he could go very close for connections who know exactly how to win this race. And another one that looks to have a good chance is David Budds's runner Anyway. He had a very good run at the Cheltenham Festival when second to Caldwell Potter when 125/1. After having a confidence building win at Kilbeggan last month, he looks to have an each-way chance, but Down Memory Lane is my selection. The opening race, a maiden hurdle over 2m6f, at 5.05 sees Hipop De Loire go over the obstacles for the second time - and one year after he finished stablemate Jackfinbar. He's a 108 rated flat horse having finished fifth in the Ebor at York last August and should be very, very hard to beat for Willie Mullins and Paul Townend. Paul Townend and Willie Mullins (Image: PA) But if you want to go for one against him with a bit of experience, you could make a case for Son Of Anarchy, but it should be plain sailing for Hipop De Loire. A very competitive handicap hurdle comes next at 5.35 and you could make a case for a lot of the runners. I'm going to take a chance on one at a big price with Caesar Rock for Mouse Morris and Darragh O'Keeffe. He runs off a ten pound lower mark than his chase mark and was second over fences on his last start at Tipperary. Darragh is riding out of his skin at the moment so I'll take a chance with Caesar Rock. The Mares Handicap Hurdle at 6.05 is another competitive contest. Henry de Bromhead's runner Belle The Tigress looks to have a good each-way chance in her first run in a handicap. But Enfranchise is very interesting for Willie McCreery, with Danny Mullins booked to ride. She won a maiden hurdle at Galway two years ago so has course form and she might just be the one to side with here. The last three races are on the flat and Mont St Michel for Aidan O'Brien and Paddy Smullen had a good run in Killarney last time out when second and looks the one in the Download The Tote App (Q.R.) Maiden at 7.15. Meanwhile, Sujet catches the eye in the 1m½f at 7.40 for Dermot Weld and Chris Hayes. He was a good winner at the Curragh in his last start. And I like the look of two in the last race at 8.20. Happy Jacky just missed the cut for the big race here on Monday and comes here off top weight instead, which will be tough. The other one that is interesting is Miss Gitana right down the bottom for Gordon Elliott and Leigh Roche. She was a good winner on her second last start, was second the last day and could go close. Bet of the day - Down Memory Lane 6.40
Irish Times
30-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Times
Top amateur jockey Derek O'Connor aiming for Galway Plate glory on Anyway
His name might be nondescript but Anyway can still insert it on to the coveted Tote Galway Plate roll of honour on Wednesday evening. More evocatively titled rivals such as Down Memory Lane and Nurburgring are also among the maximum 20-strong field for the summer's steeplechase highlight, off at 6.40pm and live on RTÉ. But the big-race answer to what's in a name didn't stop a rosy outcome for the inelegantly named Inothewayurthinkin in the Cheltenham Gold Cup in March. Nor did it stop Aidan O'Brien winning the Oaks in 2012 with Was. Only the subsequent Grade One winner Caldwell Potter prevented Anyway from pulling off a 125-1 upset at Cheltenham in March for his Cork trainer Ken Budds. READ MORE His only start since then yielded a first win over fences at Kilbeggan last month and he will be ridden for the first time by top amateur Derek O'Connor, who memorably rode Inothewayurthinkin to win a Kim Muir at Cheltenham in 2024. O'Connor will concede nothing to top professional rivals that include the former British champion jockey Harry Cobden. He flies in to team up with the dual-Cheltenham Festival winner Jazzy Matty, while Paul Townend has opted for Adamantly Chosen from a Willie Mullins trio. Gordon Elliott dominates the race numerically as he pursues a record fifth victory in the historic €270,000 highlight with seven runners. Bookmakers reckon Down Memory Lane will be Elliott's number one, but Jack Kennedy will also fancy his chances on Three Card Brag. Nurburgring has been popular in ante-post betting as Joseph O'Brien's runner zeros in on a rare double. JJ Slevin got HRI's Ride of the Year prize for his initiative at the start on Nurburgring in last year's Galway Hurdle. The road is open to pulling off a big festival double, last achieved by Ansar. He won the Hurdle in 2001 and landed the Plate back-to-back in 2004-05. If Anyway would be a popular local success for his Galway-based jockey, so too would a win for the high-class hurdler Buddy One, representing Paul and Jack Gilligan. He is a course and distance winner and had an ideal warm-up when successful on the flat nine days ago. Jesse Evans lines up here rather than having a fifth attempt at Thursday's big Hurdle, while Emmet Mullins relies on Sea Music. When the race is run, all the opposition may have left to say is 'Anyway'. Racing opens up with the Ebor favourite Hipop De Loire getting an unusual prep for the upcoming big York handicap in a maiden hurdle. Arctic Gale is likely to also figure closely in another handicap over flights. Dermot Weld's Sujet looked a transformed proposition after being gelded when scoring impressively at the Curragh on Derby day. A 10lb hike may not prevent him following up in a mile handicap. Last Ammo's only career win came in the concluding two-mile handicap in 2023. He's back for another crack at the race off a similar mark.
IOL News
12-07-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
It's your right to write
Writing is often described as an art form that transcends time and connects generations. Image: WRITING is a passion I have courted since I was in primary school. A dream come true was when the erstwhile editor of this august publication, Mr Brijlall Ramguthee, invited me to submit a test column to appraise the possibility of my having a regular spot in the paper. This was not a simple or rash decision on his part as anyone knowing the gentleman would attest the fact that he is thorough in everything he does. So, he had been watching my regular letters which I used to submit to the letters' column and had approved many for publication. My test column was a piece on the legendary watering hole of the past- the iconic Himalaya Hotel. Mr Ramguthee enjoyed it, especially the nostalgic touch and the rest is history. Or should I say MY story. In keeping with the theme that I started in that initial column, the Editor aptly named the series to follow, 'Down Memory Lane'. Very soon, the column became highly popular and enjoyed a good, loyal following. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading Ramguthee, ever the visionary, then devised a second column for me to helm. Slightly similar to the first one, he strategised a column that brought back articles from the past issues of this newspaper. This to be done in strict chronological order. It was not as easy as it sounds. Hard copies of past issues were rare, especially the golden years of the POST. However, past copies are preserved on microfilm in certain libraries. Miniature photos of each page are on microfilm. These are run through a microfiche machine, reel by reel and it is magnified on to the screen. I would then select portions which I deemed fit to reproduce and send it to a photocopying machine to print as hard copy. I would then sit with those and pen a column for each week and supplement it with a photo from the original article. It was arduous and time-consuming, but I thrived on it as it gave me a chance to write as well as teaching me to respect deadlines and to be disciplined in writing. It definitely stood me in good stead as here I am now, after over 25 years and through the kindness of current editor, Yogas Nair, I am still realising my dream and enjoying my passion for writing. To go back, that second series of columns was entitled 'Blast from the Past', which ran weekly while 'Down Memory Lane' was fortnightly. Both enjoyed a great following and were anticipated with enthusiasm by readers. Four books followed and that was more dreams of mine is the point of me telling you dear reader about all the above? I believe that many avid readers are closet wannabe writers. And why not? What is stopping you?Usually, as in most things, it is the fear of the unknown. Will it be a success? Or will it be an expensive exercise in futility? These are normal fears, but if you really want to achieve your passion follow my advice as I outline them below. I have given several writing workshops on the subject, but this I will give you in precis writing form at no charge right here. Establish what it is that you would like to write about. Jot down points in a book. Hopefully you have a laptop. Open up a word document and save it to your drive as a file. Give it a temporary name so that you can save it under that title and access it as needed. Start typing out your thoughts. Don't worry about structure and sequence yet. Just put down your thoughts and don't forget to SAVE, SAVE, SAVE. It's going to be a rough draft but save it all anyway. When you have finished, then it is time to review what you wrote and edit what you feel. Then contact a reputable book editor and negotiate with him to take on your project. It will be his job to knock it all into shape, correct grammar errors, etc. Do not underestimate the use of an independent editor. You may try to cut costs by saying that you have a good grasp of the English language and you are happy with your output. However, understand that you are too close to your subject and your work. You may not be objective enough. An independent eye will not be prejudiced or partial and will make drastic or needed corrections or adjustments. You will still have final control and say in the publishing of your completed manuscript, but don't fear justified criticism. If you are self-publishing then your next step is to get a good designer for your publication. Obviously, I can't cover all aspects in this column, so if you have queries or need advice, feel free to email me at the address given below. One final point. Do not undertake the above without ensuring you have a budget to publish and print your book. Unless you are a Wilbur Smith or Sidney Sheldon, book publishers will not finance your publication. That's a cost you have to meet. Don't be discouraged. If your book is successful, you will recoup your cost and probably make a decent profit as well. So get started. It is your right to write. Happy writing. Ravi Govender Image: File Ravi Govender is a former POST sub-editor and Lotus FM radio presenter. He is a published author, a freelance editor and film producer in training. He can be contacted at: ravijohngovender@ ** The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of IOL or Independent Media. THE POST
Indian Express
30-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Delhi Confidential: New role & rules
BSP president Mayawati's nephew Akash Anand made a comeback in the party as chief national coordinator, a new position created last week. He is supposed to be the 'Number 2' in the organisation after Mayawati. As chief national coordinator, Akash will travel to all the states but with a rider. Sources in the BSP said Mayawati has instructed him to hold only 'indoor meetings' with the party leaders during his tour; he will not address any open gathering of workers or supporters until he is allowed to do so. In his earlier stint as the party's national coordinator, he had addressed rallies, workers meetings and led marches on streets. Down Memory Lane A recent morning meeting at Delhi Police headquarters to discuss security arrangements, including bandobast for the death anniversary of former PM Rajiv Gandhi, struck a chord with Police Commissioner Sanjay Arora, a 1988-batch IPS officer from Tamil Nadu cadre, who was posted in the state as Assistant Commissioner of Police when the former PM was assassinated in Sriperumbudur on May 21, 1991. The police chief recalled how uncertainty clouded the atmosphere as information about the blast trickled in. Recounting the events as they unfolded and the chaos that followed the incident, he told the officers, many of whom were too young to have joined the force or even remember what happened, that the world had stopped for a moment for all of them who were on duty that day. Wait For Reports The long pending annual reports of the National Commission for Backward Classes was submitted by its chairperson Hansraj Ahir to President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday. Two reports were submitted for the years 2022-23 and 2023-24. The wait for the reports' release, however, will continue as they will first get tabled in Parliament. The annual report for 2024-25 is also under process, it was learnt.
