Quel Esprit and Havingotascoobydo were the most notable absentees at the final 48-hour declaration stage for the Spinal Research The Atlantic 4 Gold Cup at Cheltenham.

KAUTO STAR, successful in the race two years ago, is hard to oppose in the Grade 1 JNwine.com Champion Chase at Down Royal this afternoon.

THOUGH brought together by the coincidental timing of their deaths, Vincent O’Brien and Danny La Rue have more in common than is immediately apparent.

Robert Alner believes The Listener has every chance of giving him a second win in the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup at the Festival meeting.

RISING star War Of Attrition can advertise his Cheltenham Gold Cup credentials by landing the John Durkan Memorial Chase at Punchestown tomorrow.

Tom Taaffe has hinted Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Kicking King will make his racecourse return in the inaugural Daily Star Chase at Punchestown on October 20.

Owner Jim Lewis has confirmed the retirement of top chaser Edredon Bleu.

Kicking King is set to run in next Friday’s totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup, trainer Tom Taaffe has confirmed.

Jonjo O’Neill is set to pitch Keen Leader in against triple Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Best Mate at Leopardstown.

Florida Pearl is rated 1lb superior to Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Best Mate in the Anglo-Irish National Hunt classifications.