Nicky Henderson’s view of the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup does not differ vastly from the bookmakers, with the trainer predicting an ultra-close fifth clash between Long Run and Kauto Star.

The hitherto frustrating Quel Esprit finally got his act together over fences with a power-packed front-running display to land the Grade 1 Hennessy Gold Cup at Leopardstown yesterday.

RUBY WALSH believes Long Run deserves to be favourite for the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Ruby Walsh believes Long Run deserves to be favourite for the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup.

NICKY HENDERSON has vowed to have Long Run primed to defend his crown in the William Hill King George VI Chase at Kempton on Stephen’s Day.

RUBY WALSH was in action after racing at Leopardstown as he put Mikael D’Haguenet through his paces.

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.

AIDAN O’Brien was yesterday fined just over €12,000 by the British Horseracing Authority disciplinary panel, in relation to the Cape Blanco affair at York in May.

PADDY BRENNAN is feeling confident ahead of Imperial Commander’s first run of the season in Saturday’s Betfair Chase at Haydock.

PUNJABI will bid to rebuild his slightly tarnished reputation in the Rabobank Champion Hurdle at the Punchestown Festival.

THOUSANDS of punters flocking to this year’s Cheltenham festival are set to place their trust in Irish bankers – of the horsing variety, of course.

Denman’s new jockey Tony McCoy cannot wait to take on Kauto Star in the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup on March 19.

Voy Por Ustedes is poised to try and provide Robert Ogden with a second consecutive success in the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown on Monday week.

Paul Carberry will revive old memories when he teams up with trainer Nicky Richards to ride Monet’s Garden in the Amlin 1965 Chase at Ascot tomorrow.

Plans for Imperial Commander remain fluid after the Paddy Power Gold Cup winner was not declared for the Levy Board Chase at Kempton yesterday.

DENMAN will face six rivals at Kempton today including King George VI runner-up Albertas Run, whose connections are hoping the ground is not too testing.

CONNECTIONS of Albertas Run are eyeing a tilt at the Letheby & Christopher Chase following the eight-year-old’s fine second in the King George VI Chase at Kempton last month.

Officials at Down Royal are excited about the prospect of top-class racing at their two-day festival this weekend.

Monet’s Garden is set to renew old rivalries with Kauto Star in Saturday’s Commercial First Ascot Chase at the Berkshire venue.

RUBY WALSH has confirmed he will ride Kauto Star in next month’s totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Paul Nicholls is 1-4 with Coral to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup with reigning champion Kauto Star or the upcoming Denman after the latter stamped his class on the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown.

RUBY WALSH is set to gain some much-needed match practice at Thurles on Sunday, although he has no booked rides as yet.

Paul Nicholls ended a relative lean spell when saddling his first winners for 15 days as New Little Bric and Taranis provided him with a short-priced double at Sandown.

Alan King is confident Voy Por Ustedes can do himself justice on his return to the track in the William Hill – Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown on Saturday.

DEMPSEY is strongly fancied to make handsome amends for his Champion Chase disappointment when he lines up in the William Hill Gold Cup Chase at Exeter today.

A crack at the Stan James King George VI Chase is just one of the possibilities for Kauto Star this season as trainer Paul Nicholls plots the coming campaign for his talented five-year-old.

Ashley Brook could head to the Cheltenham Festival without the benefit of a prep-run after Kevin Bishop’s stable star suffered a knee injury.