Leading owner John Hales is already dreaming of a potential Cheltenham Gold Cup tilt with Aux Ptits Soins after the French import starred in a treble for Paul Nicholls by landing the Coral Cup.

If the betting firms are to be believed then this year’s Cheltenham Festival could well be the one which sees John Ferguson break his duck and saddle his first winner at the iconic meeting, writes Graham Clark.

Field sizes for a number of key events at the Cheltenham Festival this year are to be reduced following a review with the British Horseracing Authority’s senior inspector.

Noble Inn, who has been running well all season, without delivering too much, can land the nap in the P And D Lydon Plant Hire Rated Hurdle at Ballinrobe this evening.

Ruby Walsh will be sidelined for at least two months after breaking his arm in a crashing fall in the opening race on the final day of the Cheltenham Festival.

Sire De Grugy’s popular triumph in the BetVictor Queen Mother Champion Chase helped punters take the honours on day two of the four-day Cheltenham Festival.

Bryan Cooper, only in his third month as first jockey to Michael O’Leary’s Gigginstown House Stud, faces a four to six month spell on the sidelines, after breaking his leg at Cheltenham yesterday.

Bobs Worth is likely to have a racecourse gallop at Newbury on Sunday as Nicky Henderson puts the finishing touches to his preparation ahead of the defence of his Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup crown.

The Tullow Tank will not run at the Cheltenham Festival due to the “uncertainty” surrounding trainer Philip Fenton’s ongoing case for alleged possession of anabolic steroids, said his owner Barry Connell.

Gordon Elliott’s Flaxen Flare gets the vote in the Guinness Galway Hurdle at Ballybrit this afternoon.

Last year’s winner Rock On Ruby is among a field of nine for the Stan James Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham on Tuesday.

Nicky Henderson is now by far and away the most successful trainer in Cheltenham Festival history after an incredible four-timer took him four clear of Fulke Walwyn’s record of 40.

Jerry McGrath, 21 years of age from Waterfall, Co Cork and who learned much of his trade with the Muskerry Pony Club, drove Une Artiste to victory in the Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham yesterday afternoon.

Nicky Henderson continued his spectacular afternoon as Une Artiste gave him his fourth winner in the Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Paul Nicholls is leaning towards running Hinterland in the Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle rather than the Triumph at the Cheltenham Festival in March.

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

DAY two of Cheltenham was awash with feelgood Irish stories yesterday but none gladdened the heart more than Paul Townend’s successful ride on board What A Charm in the Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle.

Gordon Elliott stole the show with a fantastic 101-1 double as Team Ireland claimed six of the seven winners at the Cheltenham Festival on Wednesday.

What A Charm gave Paul Townend his first ever Cheltenham Festival success with a narrow victory in a thrilling renewal of the Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle.

Charlie Longsdon is optimistic Paintball can hit the target in the Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham on Wednesday.

THE leading contenders have stood their ground for the sportinbet.com Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival next Wednesday.

ENTRIES for the 11 handicaps at the Cheltenham Festival have been unveiled.

Entries for the 11 handicaps at the Cheltenham Festival have been unveiled.

THIS is a Cheltenham which, unfortunately, looks set to emphasise the dearth of talent among our Irish chasers.

Harry Tricker could form part of Gary Moore's Cheltenham team after stylishly opening his account over jumps in the second division of the Blackmore Borley Maiden Hurdle at Plumpton today.

Nicky Henderson welcomed the rain that has maintained cut in the ground at Cheltenham as he put the finishing touches on a 24-strong team for next week’s Festival.

Andrew Balding’s first visit to Ludlow ended in success when Rosecliff took the opening event, the first division of the Sunshine 855 Maiden Hurdle, under Tony McCoy.

His Seven Barrows stable may be enduring a frustrating time at the moment but Nicky Henderson was given a welcome lift by Papini at Newbury today.