Ireland are odds-on to claim their first John Smith’s Grand National in six years following the first entry stage for the Aintree showpiece.

Paul Nicholls’ Lexus hero Tidal Bay is one of the 16 entries in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Leopardstown on February 9.

After Willie Mullins’ Zaidpour had landed the Grade 1 Hatton’s Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse last Sunday, everyone wanted to know what the Cheltenham target for the six-year-old would be.

Noble Prince will cross the Irish Sea to make his seasonal reappearance in the two-and-a-half-mile Betfred Monet’s Garden Old Roan Chase at Aintree on Saturday.

Keiran Burke is excited about the prospect of Hunt Ball stepping up from handicaps to the highest level in the Betfred Bowl Chase at Aintree tomorrow.

Formlines from several races at the Cheltenham Festival could meet in the John Smith’s Melling Chase at Aintree on Friday.

Forpadydeplasterer is likely to go for the John Smith’s Melling Chase at Aintree next month in his bid to end his luckless streak.

When Mick Fitzgerald was forced to retire, Nicky Henderson must have wondered if he would ever find a jockey with the style, the swagger and the ability to replace him.

Seven Barrows is the place to be right now if you’re a horse, and it’s not a bad place to be as a guest of Nicky Henderson’s either.

1. The Tuesday bankers

Sizing Europe and Big Zeb, the first two home in the sportingbet.com Queen Mother Champion Chase last year, are on course for a rematch at Cheltenham next Wednesday.

Noble Prince is pleasing trainer Paul Nolan ahead of Cheltenham’s Ryanair Chase following a successful breathing operation.

RUBI LIGHT, third behind dual winner Albertas Run and Kalahari King in the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham last season, will skip the Gold Cup this year for another crack at the Ryanair after he finished second in the Lexus.

Dual winner Albertas Run heads the 38 entries for the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham on March 15.

The stage is set for Kauto Star and Long Run to clash again in the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup on March 16.

WITH conditions in his favour, Joncol will be expected to become the first horse since Native Upmanship to win a second John Durkan Memorial Chase at Punchestown tomorrow.

King George and Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Long Run is the headline act among eight remaining entries for a star-studded Betfair Chase at Haydock on Saturday.

LONG RUN and Kauto Star are the headline names among 19 entries for the Betfair Chase at Haydock on November 19.

I HEAD to Aintree this afternoon for four rides, but three of them pale into insignificance, with all due respects to the horses involved, compared to teaming up with Master Minded in the Grade 2 Old Roan Chase.

MASTER Minded is the star attraction among the nine entries for the Monet‘s Garden Old Roan Chase at Aintree this weekend.

DUAL Ryanair Chase winner Albertas Run is set to make his reappearance this month in one of two possible races.

A year ago I was injured, working for RTE and watching Willie Mullins and Paul Townend combine to land winner after winner at Punchestown.

MASTER MINDED appointed himself as a King George replacement for the deposed Kauto Star after collecting his eighth top-level prize in the John Smith’s Melling Chase at Aintree.

Albertas Run will face nine rivals as he attempts to pull off the Cheltenham-Aintree double for the second successive year in the John Smith’s Melling Chase.

VOY Por Ustedes is on course to bid for a third success in the John Smith’s Melling Chase on Friday week following his fine comeback effort at Cheltenham.

DUNGUIB could step up to three miles at the Punchestown Festival in May following a disappointing performance in the Stan James Champion Hurdle.

BIG BUCK’S once again lived up to his name when raking in the cash for punters with a third successive win the Ladbrokes World Hurdle.

IT’S a bit like waiting for a bus, you wait all day and then a couple come along together.

A SERIOUS incident was narrowly averted yesterday when an intruder encroached on to the track towards the end of the Ryanair Chase.

Albertas Run recorded back-to-back victories in the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham under a gallant Tony McCoy.

I’LL be disappointed, very disappointed, if Big Buck’s fails to deliver in the World Hurdle today. He is a really, really good horse, one of the best I have ever sat on, and, essentially, I consider him bombproof.

Paul Nicholls believes he has an excellent opportunity to claim an elusive success in the Grade One Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham today.

A NEW addition to the Festival, it attracts those novices that don’t possess the speed for the Arkle but similarly don’t have the stamina or will to tackle the RSA Chase.

THE old guard of Kauto Star, Denman and Imperial Commander feature among 14 declarations for tomorrow’s totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup.

The old guard of Kauto Star, Denman and Imperial Commander feature among 14 declarations for this year’s totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup.

THE first three home in the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham last year — Albertas Run, Poquelin and J’y Vole — are set to lock horns in the race again tomorrow.

The first three home in the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham last year - Albertas Run, Poquelin and J'y Vole - are set to lock horns in the race again on Thursday.

SUCH was the turmoil of mayhem, madness and general swirling of Banners and Bodhrans in the old place that afternoon that you’re forgiven if you can’t recall what had happened a couple of hours earlier.

Voy Por Ustedes is a fascinating supplementary entry for the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham on Thursday.

HENRY de Bromhead feels positive tactics could strengthen Sizing Europe’s chances of success in the sportingbet.com Queen Mother Champion Chase.

BIG BUCK’S and Grands Crus remain on course for a mouthwatering clash in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle after their names appeared among 34 remaining entries following the latest forfeit stage.

J’Y VOLE has plenty going for her in the Grade 2 Matty Ryan Memorial Kinloch Brae Chase at Thurles this afternoon and gets the nap.

Albertas Run could bid to became the first dual winner of the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham in March.