It’s hard to recall a more open Cheltenham Gold Cup than the one that will unfold before our eyes at 3.30pm this afternoon. Of the 16 set to go to post in the Magners-sponsored Cheltenham Festival highlight, only four can be dismissed with real confidence – it really is that open.

IT’S the start of another frantic month which will end with the Guineas and after watching Laughing Lashes work at The Curragh yesterday, I can report that she is very well. Pathwork has done three pieces of work to date and they both appear to be on course for Newmarket.

OSLOT became only the third British-trained horse to win the Galway Plate when landing a huge off-course and on-course gamble for Paul Nicholls and Ruby Walsh at Ballybrit yesterday.

BEEF OR SALMON, whose jumping was suspect on his seasonal reappearance at Clonmel, will have a racecourse school this morning in preparation for Sunday’s Grade One John Durkan Memorial ‘Chase at Punchestown.