The Galway Plate looks a really good and competitive renewal, but I fancy my own horse, Saturnas. I thought he was a decent hurdler and off a mark of 142 and with just 10-8 on his back he’s got a great chance.

It’s a big weekend for the Graham Wylie novices, with Bellshill and Yorkhill both in action in Grade One company, and Yorkhill plays his hand first, in this afternoon’s Tolworth Hurdle at Sandown.

Not too many trainers can be chasing Cheltenham festival glory 41 years after enjoying their initial success at the meeting.

Naas hosts today’s horse racing action and Macbride can overcome an absence by taking the opening Welcome To Toomevara GAA Raceday Maiden Hurdle for Aidan O’Brien.

The winter season got underway in near summery conditions, on fast ground, at Thurles yesterday afternoon and, for the third consecutive year, sprightly veteran He’llberemembered landed the featured Premier County Hurdle for trainer Paul Fahey.

Jessica Harrington is confident Jezki is in at least as good a form as 12 months ago as he prepares to defend his crown in the Stan James Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham today.

The Stan James Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham can prove the next step in Faugheen’s development towards superstardom, writes Tommy Lyons.

The New One’s Stan James Champion Hurdle preparations neared completion yesterday with a satisfactory schooling session.

Dogora should get off the mark over fences - at the eighth attempt - in the Irish Stallion Farms Beginners Chase in Fairyhouse.

When Enda Bolger’s Gilgamboa won his first two races over fences, he shaped as a real star of the future, says Pat Keane.

It is a quite enough weekend but not without some intrigue all the same and some good performances might book a passage to Cheltenham. 

Champagne Fever got back on track with a smooth victory in the Red Mills Chase at Gowran on Saturday.

Unbeaten in three outings this season, Kitten Rock should book his ticket to the Stan James Champion Hurdle by landing the Grade 2 Red Mills Trial Hurdle in Gowran Park today. 

I am probably leaving a winner or two behind me in Gowran, but I learned a long time ago that you can’t be in two places at one time, says Ruby Walsh.

Lockstockandbarrel should make a winning start over hurdles in the thurles.ie Maiden Hurdle in Thurles today.

Edward O’Grady’s Kitten Rock can beat Willie Mullins’ Glens Melody in the Grade 2 Limestone Lad Hurdle at Naas this afternoon.

An ambitious tilt at the Champion Hurdle could come under consideration for Kitten Rock if he can continue his winning run in the Limestone Lad Hurdle at Naas today.

Ruby’s Best Bets

Owner Andy Stewart has revealed Saphir Du Rheu will revert to smaller obstacles for a likely tilt at the Ladbrokes World Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

The Edward O’Grady-trained Kitten Rock oozed class as he justified 4/5 favouritism in the listed Irish Independent Hurdle, feature of yesterday’s action in Limerick.

I head to Naas this afternoon for three rides, none of them representing Willie Mullins.

The season concludes today and I’m hoping to go out on the best possible note and guide Annie Power to victory in the Champion Hurdle for mares.

Willie Mullins’ Thousand Stars came back to something approaching his best when running away with the Grade 2 Keelings’ Irish Strawberry Hurdle at Fairyhouse yesterday.

Caoimhe’s Delight gave trainer, Sean O’Brien, his first success in graded company when landing the Grade 2 INH Stallion Owners’ EBF Dawn Run Mares’ Novice Chase at Limerick yesterday.