Owner Terry Warner led the tributes to Rooster Booster, the popular grey who collapsed and died on the gallops today.

Leading novice hurdler Roman Ark is likely to make his chasing debut at Carlisle on Monday.

Sergeant Cecil made the 550-mile round trip from Devon pay a handsome dividend as he completed a rare double when taking the totesport Ebor at York.

Martin Kelly

Paul Nolan today raised the possibility that his Champion Hurdle hope Accordion Etoile could line-up in the Tote Gold Trophy if the ground is heavy at Leopardstown on Sunday week.

Keith Hamer

One Knight remains on course for the totesport Gold Cup despite being forced to miss the Coral Welsh National.

Trainer Michael O’Brien is eyeing a big-race double with Essex after the five-year-old justified favouritism in the Pierse Hurdle at Leopardstown yesterday.

Barry Geraghty was once again the star of the show at Leopardstown today as he took the two most valuable races of the afternoon courtesy of Essex and Newmill.

Philip Hobbs today expressed himself “delighted” with Rooster Booster after the gelding’s gutsy performance in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton Park on Boxing Day.

MACS JOY produced far too much speed for his rivals to easily beat Brave Inca in the Bewleys’ Hotels December Festival Hurdle at Leopardstown yesterday.

HARCHIBALD strengthened his position at the head of the Champion Hurdle market with what was in the end an impressive victory over Rooster Booster at Kempton yesterday.

TONY DOBBIN has picked up the plum ride on Monkerhostin, the favourite for Saturday’s Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham.

Rooster Booster, winner of the 2003 Smurfit Champion Hurdle, could reappear at Cheltenham next month.

Hardy Eustace produced a real shock as he made virtually all to land the Smurfit Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival today at odds of 33-1.

ROOSTER BOOSTER is in "tip-top shape" for his bid to complete back-to-back victories in the Smurfit Champion Hurdle on today's opening day of the Cheltenham Festival.

Rooster Booster is a top-priced 13-8 with Blue Square to retain his crown in the Smurfit Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham on Tuesday.

Venn Ottery gave Paul Nicholls his 100th winner of the season with a remarkable performance in the Manny Bernstein Hedging For Bookmakers Maiden Chase at Leicester today.

Limerick Boy is to go straight for the Smurfit Champion Hurdle after being none the worse for his early exit in the Tote Gold Trophy.

Philip Hobbs admitted today that the Smurfit Champion Hurdle can’t come quick enough for Rooster Booster.

Rooster Booster was denied victory in Newbury today, finishing second in the Tote Gold Trophy for the third time in four years.

Rooster Booster heads a field of 25 horses declared for the Tote Gold Trophy at today’s final 48-hour stage.

WILLIE MULLINS has confirmed that stable star Florida Pearl will head to Britain for the Servo Computer Services’ Ascot Chase at the weekend – weather permitting.

Rooster Booster is all set to complete his preparations for Cheltenham with a run in the Tote Gold Trophy, which should, in theory, be a straight-forward task for the reigning champion hurdler.

CHAMPION Hurdle hero Rooster Booster has been installed 11-2 favourite with the sponsors for the Tote Gold Trophy at Newbury next month following the publication of the weights yesterday.

SPIRIT LEADER has been backed for the Smurfit Champion Hurdle with Ladbrokes.

PHILIP HOBBS unveiled his impressive team for Cheltenham at his Somerset yard yesterday headed

THE drying conditions at Kempton will be good news for the connections of Gunther McBride for Saturday's Racing Post Chase .

Commanche Court was made to struggle to land the odds at Navan this afternoon in the Gain Feeds Handicap Chase to keep his Cheltenham prospects alive.

Irish-trained hurdler Emotional Moment, who just missed the line-up when a leading fancy for the Tote Gold Trophy at Newbury last weekend, will seek compensation in the McCabe Builders Limited Boyne Hurdle at Navan on Sunday.

Next month is an exciting one for jumping fans and the main pretender to Best Mate’s Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup crown is likely to emerge after a showdown at Leopardstown on February 9.

The next week will be crucial for Marble Arch as trainer Hughie Morrison steps up the gelding’s work in a bid to prime his stable star for a tilt at next month’s Smurfit Champion Hurdle.

Prospects for Newbury’s high-class card on Saturday have improved which should be good news for trainer Nicky Henderson.

There is a massive programme of racing today, headed by the appearance of Istabraq at Leopardstown.

A total of 36 horses remain in the 45th running of the Whitbread Gold Cup at Sandown Park.

See More Business is likely to run again this season despite not appearing among the entries for the Tote Gold Trophy.

Grinkov became only the fourth favourite in 25 years to capture Ireland's richest handicap over timber when he won the Pierse Hurdle at Leopardstown.