It was the bookmakers who were all smiles despite a virtual Irish monopoly on day two of the Cheltenham Festival.

Top trainer Willie Mullins struck first on Irish Champion Hurdle day at Leopardstown by saddling Day Of A Lifetime to lift the opening the Frank Conroy Memorial Maiden Hurdle.

FORPADYDEPLASTERER has made pleasing improvement since found to have been clinically abnormal after the William Hill King George VI Chase.

SICILIAN SECRET should open his hurdling account in the Ratoath Maiden Hurdle at Fairyhouse today.

Paul Carberry has stepped in for the ride on Old McDonald in next week’s Weatherbys Champion Bumper after Kieren Fallon decided against a trip to the Cheltenham Festival.

Kieren Fallon will have only his second ever ride in next month’s Weatherbys Champion Bumper on the Noel Glynn-trained Old McDonald.

EXCITING novices Sweeps Hill and Some Present were involved in a farcical, cat-and-mouse battle for the four-runner Tote Sports Lounge Novice Hurdle at Punchestown yesterday.

The Irish assault on Prestbury Park is part of what makes the Cheltenham Festival what it is – the highlight of the racing calendar.

CRANKY Corner might be part of Willie Mullins’ team for the Weatherbys Champion Bumper at Cheltenham following a smooth success in the Welcome To 2009 Pro-Am Flat Race at Fairyhouse yesterday.

Hurricane Fly is just 7-2 with Cashmans for the Ballymore Properties Novices’ Hurdle next spring after registering another Grade One prize at Leopardstown.

Trainer Willie Mullins and smart conditional rider Paul Townend stole the honours at Navan with a near 35-1 treble through Mikael D’Haguenet, Shakervilz and Jayo.

WILLIE Mullins plans to be triple-handed as he bids to win the Weatherbys Champion Bumper at Cheltenham for a sixth time.

Tony Mullins is relishing the prospect of saddling exciting youngster Aranleigh in the Weatherbys Champion Bumper at the Cheltenham Festival.

Paul Nicholls has snapped up Mick Fitzgerald to ride his unbeaten Kicks For Free in the Weatherbys Champion Bumper at Cheltenham tomorrow.

OUIJA BOARD remains on course to have her first outing as a five-year-old in the Dubai Sheema Classic at Nad Al Sheba on March 25.

JP McManus has added to his already huge string with the acquisition of impressive Leopardstown bumper winner Perce Rock.

Albuhera is to form an important part of Paul Nicholls’ Christmas operation following his decisive success over Copsale Lad in the Dubai Duty Free Fulke Walwyn Novices’ Chase at Newbury.

WHAT’SONYOURMIND booked his ticket to the Weatherbys Champion Bumper at Cheltenham when making a successful debut, in very testing conditions, at Navan yesterday.

Willie Mullins today confirmed that Florida Pearl has emerged fit and well from his historic victory at Leopardstown yesterday and will now bid to win the Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup at the fourth attempt.