TONY McCOY is hoping Binocular can kickstart the new campaign in the best possible way in the Stanjames.com Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle on Saturday.

Alan Fleming felt Starluck was unsuited by the ground when a slightly disappointing third in the rearranged Christmas Hurdle at Kempton on Saturday.

NICKY HENDERSON is much happier with Binocular ahead of his run in the stanjames.com Fighting Fifth Hurdle than he was at this stage 12 months ago. On that occasion, the 5-6 favourite for the Newcastle feature but could finish only fifth behind Go Native.

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

NOEL MEADE isn’t normally a man you can easily ruffle. But the trainer and his team could be forgiven if they are feeling a little nervous today.

I have seven rides for the weekend and the hope is to walk out of Limerick tomorrow unscathed and fit and raring to go for the biggest four days of the season at Cheltenham.

SOLWHIT remains a major doubt for the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham next Tuesday, having scoped badly on Monday.

Solwhit could be forced to miss next week’s Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle after scoping dirty on Monday morning.

NOEL Meade is stepping up Go Native’s work as the crack hurdler nears his date with a potential £1m bonus at Cheltenham next month.

SOLWHIT, a top-priced 6-1 with most firms yesterday for the Champion Hurdle, can live his Cheltenham prospects a major boost by landing the Tohiba-sponsored Irish equivalent at Leopardstown tomorrow.

SOLWHIT gets the vote to redeem his mildly tarnished reputation in the Grade 1 Golf Centre December Festival Hurdle at Leopardstown this afternoon.

Noel Meade bagged a second Grade One inside the space of 24 hours as Hollo Ladies followed up Go Native’s Kempton success in the Paddypowerpoker.com Future Champions Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown.

Noel Meade says it is “all systems go” with Go Native for the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton and the second leg of the WBX.COM Triple Crown.

RUBY WALSH is the man to follow at Cork today where entry to the track will be free, should the meeting pass a 7.30 precautionary inspection this morning.

WILLIE MULLINS’ once-raced Carra Coranna can land the Bumper at Cork this afternoon.

A TRUE superstar of the racing game was born last week at Cheltenham in the shape of Ruby Walsh.

Hurricane Fly and Donnas Palm face a fascinating rematch in tomorrow’s paddypower.com Future Champions Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown.

ONCE-raced Eirinn’s Rock is the nap choice in the Louis Vambeck Memorial Bumper at Kilbeggan tonight.

PIANO Star gave veteran trainer Michael Cunningham a timely pre-Galway boost when landing the 50,000 Ladbrokes Midlands National at Kilbeggan last night.