Trainer Michael Halford insists Johnny Murtagh is “up to the challenge” of partnering Golden Cross in the Ballymore Properties Hatton’s Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse on Sunday.

Golden Cross gained a hard-fought win under Johnny Murtagh in the Leopardstown November Handicap.

Rooster Booster is a top-priced 13-8 with Blue Square to retain his crown in the Smurfit Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham on Tuesday.

BARACOUDA is set to be a surprise runner in the Tote Scoop6 Sandown Handicap Hurdle on Saturday as Francois Doumen’s champion continues his build-up to the Cheltenham Festival.

SOLERINA is far from a certain runner in Sunday’s AIG Europe Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown.

Champion Hurdle favourite Rhinestone Cowboy flopped in the Bewleys Hotels December Festival Hurdle at Leopardstown today as Golden Cross sprang a 66-1 shock.

Golden Cross is a best-priced 12-1 chance for the JCB Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham next month following an impressive victory Fairyhouse this afternoon in the Winning Fair Juvenile Hurdle.

THE Bowe family, already looking forward to Limestone Lad in the Stayers’ Hurdle at Cheltenham, will travel with all guns blazing following the superb display of Solerina in yesterday’s Deloitte and Touche Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown.

NATIVE UPMANSHIP is a hopeful choice to provide the answer to the John Durkan Memorial Chase at Punchestown tomorrow.