GVA Ireland is out to become the first horse to win the John Smith’s Midlands Grand National Chase twice when he lines up for the Uttoxeter marathon today.

Ferdy Murphy is hoping Joes Edge makes the cut in the John Smith’s Grand National after getting up in the shadow of the post to win the William Hill Trophy Handicap Chase on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival.

2.00 Anglo Irish Bank Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, 2 miles ½f: A STRONG Irish challenge headed by De Valira, who reportedly sparkled in his latest piece of work, Hide The Evidence and Wins Now.

Punjabi, who was an impressive winner at Kempton on Saturday, has been confirmed by trainer Nicky Henderson as an intended runner in the JCB Triumph Hurdle.

Mick Fitzgerald has been booked to partner Powers Whisky Irish Grand National favourite Dun Doire by trainer Tony Martin.

OUR BEN, trained by Willie Mullins, heads 30 runners in the Powers Whiskey Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse on Monday.

Our Ben, trained by Willie Mullins, heads 30 runners in the Powers Whiskey Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse on Monday.

MOST people will be backing Baracouda for the Ladbrokes World Hurdle, but as I wrote on Tuesday, I feel his best days are behind him.

Andrew Thornton has been given a clean bill of health to ride at Cheltenham today.

Ruby Walsh completed a 55-1 double on Dun Doire to lift the William Hill Trophy Handicap Chase

Keltic Bard, a 16-1 chance with the sponsors for the William Hill Trophy Handicap Chase, will miss the Cheltenham Festival after picking up an injury.

WILLIE MULLINS will leave a decision on Hedgehunter’s participation in the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup until nearer next month’s Festival.

An unprecedented 1034 entries have been revealed for the 10 handicap events at the Cheltenham Festival.

TRABOLGAN is now favourite for the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup following continued heavy sport.

Trabolgan is now favourite for the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup with some bookmakers following continued heavy sport.

Francois Doumen has ruled Kelami out of the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Newbury on Saturday week and will instead rely on L’Ami.

Joly Bey is still firmly on course for the John Smith’s Grand National following an unlucky run at Cheltenham last week.

Kelami has won the William Hill Trophy Handicap Chase at Cheltenham.

Schedule for the opening day of the 2005 Cheltenham Festival.

Peter Beaumont is keen to give 2002 Royal & SunAlliance Chase winner Hussard Collonges a run this weekend but is undecided as to where to send his stable star.