IT can’t be pleasant, reading your own obituary, but jockey Declan Murphy’s injuries were so severe after falling at Haydock Park in 1994 that the Racing Post subsequently led with the headline ‘Declan Murphy Dies After Horror Fall’.

Josh Gifford, one of British racing’s best known and most loved figures, died in the early hours of yesterday morning at the age of 70.

Vodka Bleu is challenging Taranis for outright favouritism in the Paddy Power Gold Cup after David Pipe’s bullish appraisal of his chances.

Cheltenham are celebrating the 40th anniversary of both the £100,000 (€156,900) Tripleprint Gold Cup and the £75,000 (€117,600) Victor Chandler Bula Hurdle at next week’s meeting.