IT was the bookmakers who were all smiles despite a virtual Irish monopoly on day two of the Cheltenham Festival.

KAUTO STAR will face a maximum of 13 rivals when he attempts to win his fifth consecutive William Hill King George VI Chase at Kempton on St Stephen’s Day.

SOMETHING had always told Bertie Broderick that his son Conor would own a racehorse one day and he was finally proven right a little under two years ago — just three days before he passed away.

OFF the track since April of last year, Captain Cee Bee made a triumphant return when landing the Irish Stallion Farms Beginners Chase, on his fencing debut at Naas yesterday.

Connections of Diamond Harry are in no hurry to decide on future plans following his impressive seasonal reappearance at Haydock on Saturday.

Sizing Europe made the perfect start to life over fences with a smooth success in the Evening Meetings At Punchestown Beginners Chase.

ALAN King believes he has Voy Por Ustedes in A1 condition as his chaser bids to win three different races at the Cheltenham Festival.

Noland was eased in the betting for the Arkle Trophy by Ladbrokes but kept at much the same by most other bookmakers following his victory at Sandown on Friday.

David Johnson believes ante-post favourite Well Chief is a “champion in waiting” ahead of his bid for glory in the Seasons Holidays Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham tomorrow.

Andrew McNamara hopes lightning can strike twice when Newmill bids for glory in the Seasons Holidays Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham tomorrow.