FOOTY FACTS can win a fascinating little seven-runner Kathleen Clarke 80th Birthday Hurdle at Punchestown this afternoon.

A 1-2 for England in yesterday’s rescheduled Lexus Chase at Leopardstown, What A Friend beating Money Trix, confirmed what most of us thought anyway that there is little or no chance of an Irish success in the 2010 Cheltenham Gold Cup.

IT is not beyond the bounds of possibility that the McNamara brothers, Andrew and Robbie, will take Leopardstown by storm on Stephen’s Day.

NOEL MEADE can land a double with Medical Card and Thegreatjohnbrowne at Navan today, should the meeting survive a 7.30am inspection.

LONG odds-on Apt Approach had to dig deep to beat Taradoun in the Lisronagh Beginners Chase at Clonmel yesterday.

DOWNPATRICK today is subject to a 7.30am inspection, due to the threat of frost, and if the meeting does go west we certainly won’t be losing any sleep.

YOU’D imagine the December Festival Hurdle at Leopardstown at Christmas is going to have a major bearing on the way the market will shape up for the Champion Hurdle heading into the New Year.

EDWARD O’GRADY and Andrew McNamara continued their terrific run when Diophas justified hefty market support with a smooth success in the Dromahane Maiden Hurdle at Cork yesterday.

SMOKING ACES is the nap choice in the fairyhouseracecourse.ie Rated Hurdle at the Co. Meath track this afternoon.

THE KINGS SWORD, trained by former Kilkenny hurler, Kieran Purcell, can land the nap in the 20-runner Christmas Vouchers Maiden Hurdle at Gowran Park this afternoon.