Today’s card at Fairyhouse doesn’t look the easiest for punters to get the new year off to a positive start, but Sambremont showed more last time than in previous efforts over fences and hurdles in this country, and can take the beginners’ chase for Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh.

Punchestown steps in to host the previously abandoned programme from Wexford, and Do Be Doin’ can take the three-mile-one handicap chase for Martin Hassett.

Ball D’Arc can set the ball rolling on what should be another great weekend for Gigginstown House Stud by taking the opening maiden hurdle this afternoon at Navan.

Davy Condon is nearing a return to competitive action after riding out on Wednesday morning for the first time since suffering a heavy fall at Cork in August.

Trainer Christy Roche believes Groody Hill is coming back to form at the right time as he bids for a second victory in tomorrow’s Ladbrokes Troytown Chase at Navan.

Vautour, one of the most visually impressive winners of the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle in recent years, could make his chasing debut over fences at Navan on Sunday.

Colm Murphy is confident Glam Gerry is ready to make his presence felt in the hugely valuable Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown today.

PRINCE de Beauchene isn’t well treated at the weights, but still rates the nap choice in the Grade 2 At The Races Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse this afternoon.

Denman appeared among 17 contenders for the Lexus Chase as the entries for the major races at the Leopardstown Christmas Festival were published.

HENRY de Bromhead is hoping Sizing Symphony can continue his rich vein of form in what could be a highly informative the Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle at Sandown on Friday.

PAUL CARBERRY produced a typically confident ride as Muirhead captured a dramatic Ladbrokes.com Munster National at Limerick yesterday.

Royal Reveille landed the odds in some style to make it four wins from five starts in the Greenmount Park Novice Hurdle at Limerick.

HELLO BUD was a gallant winner for the father and son team of Nigel and Sam Twiston-Davies in an eventful race for the totesport.com Becher Handicap Chase over the Grand National fences at Aintree yesterday.

Hello Bud was a gallant winner for the father and son team of Nigel and Sam Twiston-Davies in an eventful race for the totesport.com Becher Handicap Chase over the Grand National fences at Aintree.

FOOTY FACTS can win a fascinating little seven-runner Kathleen Clarke 80th Birthday Hurdle at Punchestown this afternoon.

Osana booked his ticket for a Christmas trip to Leopardstown with a comfortable victory in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Novice Chase at Navan today.

Tom Taaffe is hoping to prepare both Treacle and Cane Brake for a crack at the John Smith’s Grand National at Aintree next April.

Jimmy Mangan is likely to go on a fact-finding mission to Aintree on Sunday with Himalayan Trail.

GLENFINN Captain, successful on his seasonal debut at the track, continued on an upward curve with a smooth victory in the Clonmel Oil Chase at Clonmel yesterday.

A trip to Chepstow over Christmas for the Coral Welsh National is under consideration for Operation Houdini following his reversal in the stewards’ room at Cork on Sunday.

Neptune Collonges, Mr Pointment and Mon Mome all feature among the 18 horses removed from the Coral Welsh National at the first forfeit stage.

Taranis and The Listener could run in Saturday’s James Nicholson Wine Merchant Champion Chase at Down Royal.

CHELTENHAM Gold Cup fifth Cane Brake has been allotted top-weight of 12st for the Powers Whiskey Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse on Easter Monday.

ARAN CONCERTO can provide the answer to the Grade 1 Barry and Sandra Kelly Memorial Novice Hurdle at Navan tomorrow.

MOSCOW FLYER heads a classy 11-strong entry for the Paddy Power Dial-a-Bet Chase at the Leopardstown festival on December 27.

Takagi booked his ticket for the Martell Cognac Grand National with an impressive victory in the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse yesterday.

Veteran chaser Florida Pearl heads a field of seven for the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Leopardstown on Sunday.

CHARLES BYRNES had a day he will never forget when taking the honours with a big-race double in the space of 30 minutes at Leopardstown yesterday.

Limerick trainer Charles Byrnes took the honours with a big-race double at Leopardstown today.