If a poll was taken on the best riders at Cheltenham over the past couple of decades, Davy Russell would surely be somewhere near the top of the list.

Davy Russell hopes to return to the saddle this weekend after falling ill at Punchestown on Sunday.

Paul Townend four winners, Ruby Walsh three and Rachael Blackmore two, the fascinating characters who largely dominated last Sunday’s racing in Ireland - at Punchestown and Cork, writes Pat Keane.

Min showed admirable battling qualities to make a winning return to action in the John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase at the Naas track.

"If it was all plain sailing it would be much too easy!"

Last year's winner Sizing John and ante-post favourite Might Bite feature among 38 entries for the Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Douvan is the star name among 12 entries for the Kerry Group Hilly Way Chase at Cork on Sunday.

Willie Mullins is confident Vautour’s jumping will not be an issue in the William Hill King George VI Chase at Kempton.

Hidden Cyclone is set for a swift return to action in the rescheduled Kerry Group Hilly Way Chase at Cork on Sunday.

Cheltenham Gold Cup runner-up Djakadam and Grade One-winning novice Valseur Lido form a formidable twin assault for Willie Mullins on the John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase on Sunday.

Noel Meade is set to rely upon likely outsider Texas Jack in the John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase on Sunday after the trainer confirmed Road To Riches and Apache Stronghold will miss the Grade One.

Trainer Noel Meade is keen to avoid stable stars Road To Riches and Apache Stronghold crossing paths in the early part of the new campaign.

Gordon Elliott reports Don Cossack to be “bouncing” ahead of his bid to cap a fantastic season in the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham next month.

Boston Bob and On His Own are both in line to represent Willie Mullins in the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown as the champion trainer bids to win one of the Festive period’s biggest prizes for the first time.

Irish stars Gordon Lord Byron and Sole Power were out of luck in the Longines Hong Kong Sprint, which was won by Aerovelocity at Sha Tin yesterday.

Rebel Fitz might not be seen in competitive action until the Punchestown Festival in the spring as he continues to recover from a recent setback.

Don Cossack maintained his unbeaten record this season with a third victory from as many starts in a dramatic renewal of the John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase.

Gordon Elliott is in confident mood as the talented Don Cossack bids to strike at the highest level for a second time in tomorrow’s John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase.

A sparkling reappearance from Ladbrokes Ireland Fortria Chase winner Twinlight was the highlight of trebles for the formidable combination of Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh at Navan yesterday.

The Hilly Way Chase at Cork and the John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase are under consideration for Mick Winters’ stable star Rebel Fitz.

Last season’s Cheltenham Gold Cup runner-up Sir Des Champs will miss the remainder of the current campaign after sustaining a tendon injury.

Flemenstar will not run again this season because of a tendon injury but connections expect him to return to action next term.

Part-owner Malcolm Kimmins feels Bobs Worth faces a “big ask” as the Cheltenham Gold Cup hero looks to get his season back on track in the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown today.

Willie Mullins plans to “keep things simple” with Hurricane Fly, with the dual Champion Hurdle hero likely to make his seasonal return in next month’s Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown.

Imperial Commander heads a list of 49 horses left in the John Smith’s Grand National at Aintree on Saturday following the five-day stage.

Flemenstar and Sir Des Champs are the star names among nine runners in a fantastic renewal of the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown on Friday.

Sizing Europe faces six rivals as he aims to secure his third victory of the campaign in the Paddy Power Dial-A-Bet Chase at Leopardstown today.

Sizing Europe faces six rivals as he aims to secure his third victory of the campaign in the Paddy Power Dial-A-Bet Chase at Leopardstown on Thursday.

Arvika Ligeonniere aims to enhance his Arkle claims as he comes back in trip for the Racing Post Novice Chase at Leopardstown on Wednesday.

Peter Casey reports Flemenstar on course for the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown on Friday following a pleasing schooling session under big-race jockey Andrew Lynch.

Rubi Light was suffering from a lung infection when he trailed home a well-beaten third behind Flemenstar and Sir Des Champs in the John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase.

Rubi Light was suffering from a lung infection when he trailed home a well-beaten third behind Flemenstar and Sir Des Champs in the John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase.

Rubi Light will be scoped on the gallops this morning after stopping very quickly on his seasonal reappearance at Punchestown last weekend.

Tom Cooper believes testing conditions were to blame for Forpadydeplasterer’s disappointing performance in last weekend’s Paddy Power Gold Cup.

Peter Casey remains confident Flemenstar can develop into a serious Cheltenham Gold Cup candidate despite a scintillating victory over the minimum trip on his seasonal reappearance at Navan.

Rubi Light pleased connections in a racecourse spin at the Curragh yesterday as he continued his preparation for the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham.

Robbie Hennessy is praying Rubi Light comes through his final Cheltenham Festival prep race unscathed at Gowran Park tomorrow.

Jonjo O’Neill’s Synchronised was a surprise winner of the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown under Tony McCoy.

Quito De La Roque and Rubi Light are the star names among 13 possible runners for the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown on December 28.

The Robbie Hennessy trained 5/2 joint-favourite Rubi Light made his Grade 1 breakthrough when beating 2009 winner Joncol in the Grade 1 John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase in Punchestown yesterday.

EOIN Griffin has offered his gratitude to Fairyhouse for the rescheduling of the John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase – but warns his stable star Glencove Marina has not enjoyed an ideal preparation.

Edward O’Grady is among a legion of Irish trainers gladdened by a break in the weather as his Tranquil Sea returns to the track seeking his first Grade One win in the John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase at Fairyhouse.

Captain Cee Bee will head for the Paddy Power Dial-A-Bet Chase at Leopardstown on December 27 after trainer Eddie Harty elected to miss Wednesday’s rescheduled John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase.

Sunday’s meeting at Punchestown is already in doubt as the track is currently unfit for racing.

NIGEL Twiston-Davies is keeping his fingers crossed Grand Slam Hero makes the cut for the www.thetote.com Galway Plate following his gallant victory at Market Rasen on Saturday.