Dynaste looks set to defend his crown in the Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival after coming up short on his return to Prestbury Park on Saturday.

Paul Nicholls will step up the work of his Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup contenders Silviniaco Conti and Sam Winner in the coming days.

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.

Big Buck’s, the winner of four Ladbrokes World Hurdles, was retired after finishing fifth in the Cheltenham showpiece on day three of the Festival.

Big Buck’s and Annie Power feature among a field of 12 declared for Thursday’s Ladbrokes World Hurdle at Cheltenham as the former bids to regain his stayers’ crown.

Big Buck’s is in “seriously good order” according to trainer Paul Nicholls as he bids to land the Ladbrokes World Hurdle for a fifth time at Cheltenham on Thursday.

Leading Cheltenham contenders Big Buck’s and Silviniaco Conti could enjoy a workout after racing at Exeter on Friday, if the ground is suitable.

Paul Nicholls is confident Big Buck’s will “improve enormously” for the run after finishing a close third on his return to action in the Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham on Saturday.

Trainer Mouse Morris has confirmed Rule The World will head straight for the Ladbrokes World Hurdle at Cheltenham in March following his impressive display at Naas on Saturday.

Paul Nicholls and Sam Twiston-Davies both expressed their satisfaction as the eagerly-anticipated return to action of Big Buck’s moved a step closer after the staying great came through a schooling session in the hands of his new jockey.

Big Buck’s’ owner Andy Stewart insists there are many names in the hat to discuss with trainer Paul Nicholls before deciding which jockey will get the call-up for the ride on the supreme staying hurdler.

Off the track since April, Boston Bob returned in triumph to justify 8/11 favouritism in the Follow Punchestown On Facebook Hurdle at Punchestown, sparking a New Year’s Eve double for Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh.

Big Buck’s took an important step ahead of his eagerly-anticipated return to action with a gallop before racing at Exeter yesterday.

Paul Nicholls is not expecting “fireworks” from Big Buck’s in his racecourse gallop before racing at Exeter today.

Jockey Ruby Walsh believes there is a lot more to come from Annie Power, despite having extended her unbeaten run to eight races at Ascot on Saturday.

Trainer Nick Williams believes Thursday’s Ladbrokes World Hurdle is far from a two-horse race.

Nicky Henderson insists Grandouet remains on course for the Stan James Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham on Tuesday despite taking an alarming drift on the betting exchanges yesterday afternoon.

Trainer Mick Winters is keeping his options open regarding whether to let Rebel Fitz line up in next month’s Stan James Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Trainer Paul Nicholls has confirmed that Ruby Walsh will now ride Kauto Stone in the William Hill King George VI Chase at Kempton on St Stephen’s Day.

The imperious Big Buck’s created a slice of racing history at Aintree yesterday in the BGC Liverpool Hurdle – and it never looked in any doubt.

BIG BUCK’S appears to face a straightforward task as he goes in search of a 15th straight victory in the Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham on Saturday.

PAUL Nicholls has expressed his delight with the condition of Kauto Star after his record-breaking fifth victory in the King George VI Chase on St Stephen’s Day.

Champion jockey Tony McCoy will ride Grands Crus when he goes for French Champion Hurdle glory at Auteuil this weekend.

ALL 14 confirmations for the Ladbrokes World Hurdle have stood their ground at the declaration stage, including leading lights Big Buck’s and Grands Crus.

David Pipe reports Grands Crus’ preparation to be going according to plan ahead of the grey’s bid to wrest the Ladbrokes World Hurdle from Big Buck’s.

BOYLESPORTS yesterday decided to pay out on Big Buck’s, the warm favourite for the World Hurdle at next month’s Cheltenham Festival.

David Pipe feels Grands Crus has “added some spice” to the Ladbrokes World Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

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.

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.

No stone will be left unturned in Grands Crus’ preparation for the Ladbrokes World Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Willie Mullins’ Mourad (4-9 favourite) has had no trouble in landing the odds in the Grade Two Galmoy Hurdle at Gowran.

BIG BUCK’S will not be seen on the track again until he bids for a third consecutive Ladbrokes World Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

SATURDAY’S reopened StanJames.com International Hurdle at Cheltenham has attracted the anticipated classy field with Menorah and Cue Card among the nine entries.

Howard Johnson’s Tidal Bay will begin his campaign in the John Smith’s Hurdle at Wetherby on October 30.

DENIS O’Regan is under no illusions as to the task facing Tidal Bay in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Denis O’Regan is under no illusions as to the task facing Tidal Bay in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Tidal Bay is unlikely to go anywhere for a racecourse gallop before his tilt at the Ladbrokes World Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

Defending champion Big Buck’s is one of 24 possibles for the Ladbrokes World Hurdle at Cheltenham on March 18 following the latest forfeit stage.

Last year’s winner Big Buck’s features among 35 entries for the Ladbrokes World Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March.

Big Buck’s once again stamped his class with an authoritative display in the Racing UK On Virgin 536 Long Walk Hurdle at Newbury.

Big Buck’s gave Paul Nicholls his first victory in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

Big Buck’s gave Paul Nicholls his first victory in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

Owner Andy Stewart has heaped praise on champion trainer Paul Nicholls after he masterminded the plan to switch Big Buck’s back to hurdles.

Inglis Drever’s participation in the Byrne Group Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham on Saturday could be scuppered by snow.