DAVY RUSSELL took a step back from his RSA Chase celebrations yesterday to launch a passionate defence of fellow Irish jockey Brian O’Connell and a scathing attack on Channel 4’s loudmouth pundit John McCririck.

ST PATRICK’S DAY couldn’t have kicked off better for Ruby Walsh. It also ended as we expected, but for three hours there in the middle, it looked like it was all going to be one, big damp squib.

Weapon’s Amnesty dented a couple of lofty reputations in Long Run and Punchestowns when running away with the RSA Chase at Cheltenham.

I’M as confident as I can be heading into a Grade 1 that Master Minded will have all the answers in the Queen Mother Champion Chase today.

Nicky Henderson cannot split Punchestowns and Long Run as his pair get set for battle in the RSA Chase at Cheltenham tomorrow.

WILLIE Mullins is thrilled with the condition of his Cheltenham Festival team after a large number enjoyed a schooling session at Naas on Tuesday.

BETTER TIMES can help us top up the Cheltenham tank by landing the nap in the Great Oak Maiden Hurdle at Gowran Park this afternoon.

By Ashley Iveson, Press Association Sport

I haven’t been eating a whole lot over the past day or two, with Fistral Beach set to carry just 10-0 in the Racing Post Chase at Kempton this afternoon.

NICANOR, who once beat Denman at the Cheltenham Festival, should be finally ready to strike over fences in the Trim Beginners Chase at Navan this afternoon.

Cousin Vinny will revert to timber when he bids for a second triumph at the Cheltenham Festival next month.

Citizen Vic, trained by Willie Mullins and ridden by Paul Townend, has won the Dr PJ Moriarty Novice Chase at Leopardstown.

DESPITE the fact the conditions of the contest aren’t exactly stacked in his favour, C’est Ca is the nap choice in the Weatherbys’ Racecards Hurdle at Down Royal this afternoon.

PITTORI followed-up his recent hurdling debut win over course and distance when justifying strong support in the featured Grade 3 Visit punchestown.com Juvenile Hurdle at Punchestown yesterday.

NO Master Minded today, so I have to settle for Twist Magic in what looks a fascinating Tingle Creek at Sandown.

Willie Mullins plans to send a strong team for the Grade One races, sponsored by Bar One Racing, at the two-day meeting at Fairyhouse on November 28 and 29.

ON Monday morning a large number of the press corps made their way to Co. Carlow for a 10.30am rendezvous with Willie Mullins.

BENEATH The Radar booked his ticket to next week’s Punchestown Festival when comfortably landing the odds in the McGrath Quarry Group Hurdle at Ballinrobe last night.

WILLIE MULLINS can enjoy a double at the first meeting of the year at Ballinrobe tonight with Apt Approach and Citizen Vic.

THE sky could be the limit for Tommy Stack’s newcomer, Cambiaso, following his stunning debut at Cork yesterday.

WILLIE MULLINS continued his build-up to next week’s Cheltenham Festival by recording a double with odds-on favourites Apt Approach and Citizen Vic at Fairyhouse yesterday.