JIM Bolger paid his annual trip to the Leopardstown Christmas Festival last weekend where his Eastern Legend placed third in the Grade 1 novice hurdle won by Romeo Coolio.

Jim, who celebrated his 83rd birthday over Christmas, was also on hand at the races to present a cheque for over €190,000 to the Irish Cancer Society. The money was raised through the Hurling for Cancer game played in Carlow in August.

Established in 2011 by Jim and champion jump jockey Davy Russell, Hurling for Cancer has now raised €1.5 million for cancer research.