Champion Irish jumps trainer Noel Meade could be double-handed in the John Smith’s Grand National at Aintree on April 8.

MONKERHOSTIN is likely to head straight to the Cheltenham Gold Cup after connections opted to bypass the Ascot totesport Chase at Lingfield on Saturday.

Low-lying sun meant no fewer than six fences were omitted from the Unicoin Homes Chase at Cheltenham as thousands of racegoers packed the stands on New Year’s Day.

The Listener maintained his unbeaten record over fences with a brave victory in the Unicoin Homes “Dipper” Novices’ Chase at Cheltenham.

Europa can make amends for an unlucky run at Cheltenham’s New Year meeting 12 months ago with victory at Prestbury Park on Sunday.

Harchibald’s dramatic defeat in last season’s Champion Hurdle faded in the memory as he made amends with a dominant display to take the totesport Bula Hurdle at Cheltenham.

HARCHIBALD appears a likely starter in Saturday’s totesport Bula Hurdle at Cheltenham after satisfying Noel Meade in a crucial piece of work on the gallops.

Noel Meade has not decided yet whether to send Sir Oj over to Cheltenham on Saturday for the Robin Cook Memorial Gold Cup.

Owner David Johnson is targeting a big-race double with Our Vic in Saturday’s Robin Cook Memorial Gold Cup at Cheltenham.

Our Vic tops a list of 23 horses left in Saturday’s Robin Cook Memorial Gold Cup at the five-day confirmation stage.

PHILIP HOBBS is leaning towards running Monkerhostin in the William Hill – Tingle Creek Trophy Chase at Sandown Park on Saturday.

Our Armageddon is set to make his long-awaited return in the £110,000 (€161,000) Robin Cook Memorial Gold Cup at Cheltenham next month.

Robin Cook, the late former British Labour foreign secretary, will be honoured with a race in his memory at Cheltenham on December 10.