Kauto Star’s owner Clive Smith believes the fact his incredible horse is even running in the Betfred Gold Cup at Cheltenham is a bonus.

Quito De La Roque and Rubi Light are the star names among 13 possible runners for the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown on December 28.

DENMAN was reported to be in mint condition yesterday following his heroics in the Hennessy Gold Cup.

Sam Thomas stepped off the substitutes’ bench to score aboard Alex Ferguson’s What A Friend in the rescheduled Lexus Chase at Leopardstown yesterday.

Tomorrow’s third day of the Leopardstown Christmas Festival is subject to a 7.30am inspection due to the threat of frost.

Exotic Dancer claimed a first Grade One victory as he came home clear in the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown.

Voy Por Ustedes is reported to be in tip-top condition ahead of the Stan James King George VI Chase at Kempton on St Stephen's Day.

Kauto Star will bid to regain his Cheltenham Gold Cup crown back from stablemate Denman as a fresh horse with trainer Paul Nicholls planning to send him straight to the Festival after a run over Christmas.

Ruby Walsh has confirmed he will ride Kauto Star in next month’s totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Ferdy Murphy is looking forward to pitching L’Antartique into Grade One company in the Lexus Chase on December 28.

PAUL Nicholls has confirmed Denman to be in tip-top shape, despite a wobble in the ante-post markets for the Lexus Chase.

Paul Nicholls has confirmed Denman to be in tip-top shape, despite a wobble in the ante-post markets for the Lexus Chase.

Sunday’s impressive Punchestown winner The Listener has returned to his stable in Dorset, England, in much the same shape as when he left.

Davy Russell is delighted to have picked up the ride on Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup second-favourite Abragante.

L’Antartique stormed up the famous Cheltenham hill to repeat his Festival success in a Paddy Power Gold Cup heavily tinged with sadness.

IF some of us are to learn one lesson from the four-day Leopardstown extravaganza it is that we must never, ever, underestimate Brave Inca again.

Jim Culloty returns from a seven-week lay-off through injury with a ride at Exeter on Henrietta Knight-trained King Killone.

Jim Lewis, owner of Best Mate, confirmed at a lunch at Leopardstown racecourse yesterday that his dual Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup winner would return to Ireland next Christmas.

Leopardstown racecourse today announced a new sponsorship agreement with Lexus Ireland which means the premium car marque will back the prestigious contest previously known as the Ericsson Chase.