Baracouda, Rhinestone Cowboy and No Refuge are all vying for Ladbrokes World Hurdle favouritism after Inglis Drever became the latest big name to be sidelined through injury.

INGLIS DREVER became the latest high-profile casualty of the New Year when he was ruled out for the rest of the season with a tendon injury yesterday.

Inglis Drever became the latest high-profile casualty of the New Year when he was ruled out for the rest of the season with a tendon injury.

Jonjo O’Neill issued an upbeat bulletin on Rhinestone Cowboy as the high-profile staying hurdler edges closer to a return to racecourse action.

Kieren Fallon has been granted a licence which will enable him to ride in the Weatherbys Champion Bumper at the Cheltenham Festival next week.

MOSCOW FLYER, Azertyuiop and Well Chief have all stood their ground ahead of an enthralling renewal of the Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham next Wednesday.

Kieren Fallon has applied for a license which will enable him to ride in the Weatherbys Champion Bumper at the Cheltenham Festival next week.

ON a day when the news broke that Tony McCoy is to take over as first jockey to Jonjo O’Neill, the Castletownroche-born trainer celebrated by saddling two Grade One winners at Punchestown with Rhinestone Cowboy and Cherub.

Jonjo O'Neill's Rhinestone Cowboy is unlikely to turn out for tomorrow’s Emo Oil Champion Hurdle at Punchestown after a brilliant victory there today.

Rhinestone Cowboy upset his stable companion Iris’s Gift in the Ballymore Properties Champion Stayers Hurdle at Punchestown today.

Rhinestone Cowboy was a surprise name on the list of declared runners for tomorrow’s Emo Oil Champion Hurdle at Punchestown.

INTERSKY FALCON heads a field of eight for the £70,000 Concept Hurdle at Sandown today.

Rhinestone Cowboy got up in the shadow of the post to land the Martell Cognac Aintree Hurdle.

DESSIE HUGHES said yesterday that Hardy Eustace will switch from the Smurfit Champion Hurdle to the Coral Cup if Rhinestone Cowboy also goes for the latter contest at Cheltenham.

DESSIE HUGHES said yesterday that Hardy Eustace will switch from the Smurfit Champion Hurdle to the Coral Cup if Rhinestone Cowboy also goes for the latter contest at Cheltenham.

Jonjo O’Neill has made it clear that he regards Intersky Falcon as his best chance of winning the Smurfit Champion Hurdle even though the stable’s Rhinestone Cowboy is a shorter price in the betting.

Manchester United fans are planning a major protest against their club’s principal shareholders John Magnier (pictured) and JP McManus at next month’s Cheltenham Festival.

JP McManus and John Magnier were able to put their worries behind them as Baracouda and Rhinestone Cowboy delivered convincing victories at Sandown Park yesterday.

Today’s expected racecourse protests by Manchester United supporters have failed to materialise so far at Sandown and Chepstow.

Security was being stepped up today for the big meeting at Sandown Park following protests by Manchester United supporters which delayed a race at Hereford yesterday.

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

Smurfit Champion Hurdle favourite Rhinestone Cowboy faces a stiff test when he lines up against the likes of Solerina and Back In Front at Leopardstown tomorrow.

Cheltenham’s crowded grandstands were stunned into silence as champion hurdler Rooster Booster trailed home fifth in his comeback race.

Spirit Leader has been backed for the Smurfit Champion Hurdle with Ladbrokes.

Back In Front had to work hard to justify odds-on favouritism in the Mongey Communications Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown this afternoon to confirm his credentials for the Smurfit Champion Hurdle next March.

IT looked as if it was going to be a long road back for odds-on punters at Punchestown this week, following Moscow Flyer’s mishap at the second last in yesterday’s BMW Chase.

MARCUS TREGONING yesterday reported all was well with Nayef ahead of his tilt at next weekend’s Dubai World Cup.

RICHARD JOHNSON and Philip Hobbs combined to land their first every Champion Hurdle when the grey Rooster Booster punctured some big reputations with as easy a win as you could wish to see at Cheltenham yesterday.

JONJO O’NEILL looks certain to saddle the first two in the betting for the Smurfit Champion Hurdle as he bids to become the first since Fred Winter to train as well as ride a winner of the opening day feature of the Cheltenham Festival.

TIMMY MURPHY hopes for good ground at Cheltenham to help the chances of his mount Beef Or Salmon in the Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Timmy Murphy hopes for good ground at Cheltenham to help the chances of his mount Beef Or Salmon in the Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Nicky Henderson introduced a potentially exciting prospect when Back To Ben Alder spread-eagled the opposition at Kempton today.

HE gives his supporters the occasional fright but there is no doubting that Baracouda is as fine a hurdler as there has been over the last few years.

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