DAVY Russell’s cunning ground-saving manoeuvre aboard Dix Villez denied Enda Bolger a fifth consecutive success in the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase on a theatrical first afternoon of Cheltenham’s Open meeting yesterday.

Silverburn has been installed as the 7-2 favourite by the sponsors for the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham on November 15 after 56 entries were received.

Trafford Lad is on course to make his chasing debut at Punchestown next Thursday.

Previous festival form came to the fore at Punchestown as Edward O’Grady’s Tranquil Sea claimed Grade One honours in the Land Rover Champion Novice Hurdle.

Inglis Drever could be retired rather than attempt another Cheltenham Festival success after landing a famous third victory in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle.

Albertas Run, trained by Jonjo O'Neill and ridden by Tony McCoy, won the Royal & SunAlliance Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

Connections of Exotic Dancer are hoping it will be sixth time lucky for the Jonjo O’Neill-trained gelding against Kauto Star in the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup tomorrow.

Barry Geraghty is looking forward to renewing his association with Star De Mohaison in Friday’s totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Tidal Bay could conceivably run twice at the Cheltenham Festival, in the Irish Independent Arkle Trophy and the Royal & SunAlliance Chase.

Alan King was left far from downhearted as My Way De Solzen suffered an agonising last-gasp defeat to Lough Derg in the totesport.com National Spirit Hurdle at Fontwell.

Leslingtaylor will head straight to Cheltenham for the Irish Independent Arkle Challenge Trophy as John Quinn plans his assault on the Cheltenham Festival.

Charlie Mann believes Air Force One has “every chance” in the Royal & SunAlliance Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

Nevada Royale, as low as 7-1 with some bookmakers, will not contest the Royal & SunAlliance Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

Joe Lively is still on course for the Royal & SunAlliance Chase despite failing to sparkle at Ascot on Saturday.

Joe Lively goes on trial for the Royal & SunAlliance Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in Saturday’s John Smith’s Reynoldstown Novices’ Chase at Ascot.

Verasi was left unchanged at 33-1 with totesport for the Royal & SunAlliance Chase following his victory in the Chris Poole And George Ennor Celebration Novices’ Chase at Plumpton.

Colin Tizzard banished a 33-day losing run when Mister Quasimodo put his rivals to the sword in the Kempton Park Graduation Chase.

Air Force One is set for an early clash with Joe Lively in the John Smith’s Reynoldstown Chase at Ascot on February 16.

Tidal Bay returned from his Doncaster experience unscathed – despite making an almighty blunder at the final fence.

CAILIN ALAINN is set to return to the track this weekend in the Byrne Group PLC Tied Cottage Chase at Punchestown.

TIDAL BAY is now the clear favourite for the Cheltenham Arkle Trophy and at the top of the betting for the Royal & SunAlliance Chase after one of the Festival’s big Irish hopes, Glencove Marina, was ruled out for the season yesterday.

PAUL Nicholls has to find another race for Noland to make his chasing debut after the weather thwarted his planned run at Newbury today.

Jim Boyle has his string in fine form at present and Copperbottomed can add another victory to his tally in the Packed Full Of Fun That’s Pontins Claiming Stakes at Southwell.

Colin Tizzard has started 2008 in the same rich vein of form he ended last year and Ironside netted another valuable prize for his West Country stable in the £25,000 skybet.com Sussex National at Plumpton.

Jim Boyle has his string in fine form at present and Copperbottomed can add another victory to his tally in the Packed Full Of Fun That’s Pontins Claiming Stakes at Southwell.

JIM Dreaper expects to run recent Grade One scorer Notre Pere twice more before the Royal & SunAlliance Chase in March.

DENMAN has been installed as the 4-1 favourite by totesport for Saturday’s Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup, despite having to carry top weight.

As expected, Denman will have to shoulder top-weight if he is to win the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Newbury this weekend.

Henrietta Knight continues on the lookout for a rider for Racing Demon in Saturday’s totesport.com Peterborough Chase as running plans for various other horses around the country remain cloudy.

Ferdy Murphy has elected to send Aces Four to Aintree rather than throw him in the deep end in Monday’s Powers Whiskey Irish Grand National.

Cailin Alainn has recovered from her fall in the Royal & SunAlliance Chase at Cheltenham and is on target for the Powers Gold Cup at Fairyhouse on April 8.

Snowy Morning has been given a clean bill of health following his bold performance in the Royal & SunAlliance Chase at Cheltenham on Wednesday.

Denman, trained by Paul Nicholls and ridden by Ruby Walsh, won the Royal & SunAlliance Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

Philip Hobbs has admitted to being “amazed” at how well Fair Along has taken to fences ahead of his bid for Irish Independent Arkle Trophy glory.

Former champion Irish amateur Philip Fenton saddles his first runners at Cheltenham next week as he begins his quest to add a training success to that as a jockey.

Boychuk appears ever more certain to be pulled out of next week’s Royal & SunAlliance Chase, unless the ground dries up significantly at Cheltenham.

MOUSE MORRIS could not be more pleased with War Of Attrition ahead of his bid for back-to-back victories in the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Don’t Push It, as low as 8-1 for the Royal & SunAlliance Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, is set to run over two miles at Chepstow on Friday.

Connections of dual Grade One winner Schindlers Hunt are considering stepping their charge back up in trip – despite his victory in the Baileys Arkle Perpetual Challenge Cup on Sunday.

Cailín Alainn is still on course for the Royal & SunAlliance Chase at the Cheltenham Festival despite falling at the track on Saturday.

HENRIETTA Knight added another string to her Cheltenham Festival bow as Glasker Mill set himself up for the Royal & SunAlliance Chase with victory in the Crown Racing First For Service Beginners’ Chase at Fontwell yesterday.

Royal & SunAlliance Chase favourite Denman will head to Newbury for his final run before the Cheltenham Festival.

Connections of Aztec Warrior are contemplating a run at the Cheltenham Festival with the six-year-old after his comfortable victory in the Betfred “The Bonus King” Novices’ Chase at Wincanton.

CONNECTIONS of Halcon Genelardais aim to find out if their Welsh National winner is up to totesport Gold Cup standard with an outing in the Letherby & Christopher Chase at Cheltenham on January 27.