KAUTO STAR has been scratched from the bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown on April 24.

BOOKMAKERS were firmly in the driving seat after an enthralling day one at the Cheltenham Festival.

IT was anything but a great day for the Irish at the annual Cheltenham nagfest yesterday.

Skippers Brig is on course to run at Ayr next month before a tilt at the William Hill Trophy at Cheltenham in March.

Possol emerged as a possible Hennessy Gold Cup contender when running out a convincing winner of the £35,000 stanjames.com Festival Chase at Perth.

BOOKMAKERS reported mixed fortunes after a closely-matched first-day jousting between the layers and punters.

Tony McCoy was seen at his very best as he dragged Wichita Lineman home in the William Hill Trophy at the Cheltenham Festival.

Comply Or Die is likely to head for the Cheltenham Festival after connections decided against letting him line up in the Coolfun Grimthorpe Chase at Doncaster this afternoon.

Henry Daly was thrilled with World Hurdle aspirant Mighty Man following a pleasing workout after racing at Bangor on Wednesday.

Speagle can secure a first victory since December 2006 in the Hop To It At Pontin’s Handicap at Wolverhampton.

JACK THE GIANT will miss the Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

David Pipe is set to rely on Celestial Gold in Saturday’s Racing Post Chase as he targets Madison Du Berlais and An Accordion at other races.

DYLAN THOMAS will face a maximum of 10 rivals in the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot on Wednesday.

FAR From Trouble has been put down due to complications linked to a leg infection suffered last month.

Far From Trouble has been put down due to complications linked to a leg infection suffered last month.

NEW champion hurdler Sublimity is to be aimed at the Punchestown Champion Hurdle on April 27, trainer John Carr has revealed.

An assault on the Powers Whiskey Irish Grand National is the favoured option for Distant Thunder, provided he gets suitable underfoot conditions.

Hughie Morrison is to take the “softly softly” approach with Prince Tamino following his victory in the William Hill Trophy.

Peter Chapple-Hyam has warned the well-backed River Bravo is not a certain starter in Saturday’s William Hill Trophy at York.

A decision on Forget The Past’s participation in the Powers Whiskey Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse will not be made until Friday morning.

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

Arch rivals Martin Pipe and Paul Nicholls dominated the finish of the Vodafone Gold Cup at Newbury in what could well be a portent of what is to come at Cheltenham as Horus dead-heated with Cornish Sett.

Sir Oj booked his ticket to a tilt at some big prizes – including the Grand National – with victory in the Tote “Online Betting For Cheltenham” Newlands Chase at Naas.

Sir Oj just outpointed top novice Nickname in a thrilling duel for the Tote “Online Betting For Cheltenham” Newlands Chase at Naas.

Conditions at Sandown have dried out ahead of the Stan James King George VI Chase meeting on Boxing Day with the going on the chase course now officially "good".

Tikram could have as many as three races next month as he attempts to make up for lost time after being off the track since April.

Kevin Ryan is triple-handed in tomorrow’s William Hill Trophy at York as he aims for further glory on the Knavesmire.

Ed McMahon is resigned to dropping Pivotal Flame back to six furlongs for the first time this term in a bid for his smart but luckless colt to open his account for the season.

Favourite Pax galloped to an emotional success in the Sarah Lunn Memorial Handicap at York today.

QUALITY not quantity is the order of the day in the Princess Of Wales’s UAE Equestrian And Racing Federation Stakes at Newmarket today.

Dale Gibson’s morning run paid off in fine style as he made it third time lucky to land the £65,000-added (€101,500) William Hill Trophy at York today on 25-1 shot Artie for Tim Easterby.

David Barron has revealed he is likely to be double-handed as he bids to improve his fine record in the William Hill Trophy at York on Saturday.