Sprinter Sacre stood his ground among eight entries remaining in the Boylesports.com Champion Chase at Punchestown on Tuesday but Flemenstar has been ruled out after connections decided to give the eight-year-old a wind operation.

Willie Mullins has confirmed his big guns on course for the Punchestown Festival later this month.

Long Run is set to make his first visit to Ireland for the tote.com Punchestown Gold Cup on April 24.

Ladbrokes World Hurdle hero Solwhit turned in another superb display in the hands of Paul Carberry to claim the John Smith's Liverpool Hurdle at Aintree today.

Monksland is unlikely to run again this season with trainer Noel Meade inclined to bypass an appearance at the Punchestown Festival.

IT’S the kind of line up that will have racing fans salivating at the bit: Big Zeb, Fame And Glory, Hurricane Fly, Quevega, Sizing Europe and So You Think all taking each other on for one title - Horse Racing Ireland’s Horse of the Year.

AFTER the first two days of the National Hunt Festival had failed to throw up a winning favourite, punters could have been forgiven for holding bookies in the same regard as bankers.

Willie Mullins is considering the next plan of attack for Thousand Stars following his fine effort in defeat in yesterday’s John Smith’s Aintree Hurdle.

PHILIP FENTON believes there are reasons to expect a much better run from Dunguib at the Punchestown Festival next month.

DUNGUIB could step up to three miles at the Punchestown Festival in May following a disappointing performance in the Stan James Champion Hurdle.