PLANT of the week Primula vulgaris

The English primrose is now blossoming in woodlands and roadside verges and is a sure sign that spring is here.

One of the nation’s favourite flowers, its name derives from the Latin “prima rosa” meaning the first rose to appear, although it’s not related to the rose family. Providing early pollen for bees, this cheerful little perennial with its pale yellow scented flowers looks lovely planted under trees but doesn’t like to dry out.

Occasionally in the wild some of the flowers may be pink.

DENISE FOSTER will be rubber-stamped as the new name above the door of Gordon Elliott’s Cullentra House stables tomorrow.

Elliott was hit with a 12-month ban – with six months suspended

– and €15,000 (£13k) fine on Friday, after a photo was published on social media last weekend showing the Co. Meath trainer sitting astride a dead horse.

Fellow Meath trainer Foster will take up the reins after the OK from the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board.

“Denise Foster will take over the licence at Cullentra Stables,” Elliott confirmed yesterday. Denise is vastly experienced and her appointment is great news for staff and owners.”

Foster, 67, (left) enjoyed her biggest winner when Lily’s Rainbow took the Listed Heritage Stakes at Navan in April 2016.

■ CLOTH CAP was cut to 7/1 favourite to give his owner Trevor Hemmings a fourth win in the Randox Grand National at Aintree on April 10 after an all-theway win in the Premier Chase at Kelso yesterday.