Cause Of Causes gave his owner JP McManus a special 64th birthday present when opening his account over fences in the Toby Balding National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham.

Gigginstown House Stud have begun finalising running plans for next week’s Cheltenham Festival and have confirmed crack novice Don Poli (pictured) an intended runner in Wednesday’s RSA Chase.

Foxrock will be supplemented for the Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival after owner Barry Connell ruled out a tilt at the Gold Cup.