ANTE-POST favourite Hardy Eustace will face 14 rivals as he bids for a second successive win in tomorrow’s Smurfit Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Rooster Booster’s owner Terry Warner still believes that his popular grey can make the frame in the Smurfit Champion Hurdle.

Rooster Booster has been ruled out of a quick return to action in next Saturday’s totesport Trophy Hurdle at Newbury.

HARCHIBALD strengthened his position at the head of the Champion Hurdle market with what was in the end an impressive victory over Rooster Booster at Kempton yesterday.

Harchibald cemented his position at the top of the Champion Hurdle market with a thrilling victory over Rooster Booster in the Stan James Christmas Hurdle.

Bookmakers cannot separate Rooster Booster and Back In Front in tomorrow’s totesport Bula Hurdle at Cheltenham.

CHAMPION hurdler Hardy Eustace will start back on the road to a Cheltenham defence when he has his first run of the season at Navan on Sunday.

Champion hurdler Hardy Eustace will start back on the road to a Cheltenham defence when he has his first run of the season at Navan on Sunday.

Inglis Drever will bid to establish himself as one the leading candidates for Champion Hurdle next March when having his first start of the season in the Pertemps “Fighting Fifth” Hurdle at Newcastle tomorrow.

THAT was some over-reaction by Ladbrokes to the smooth success of Accordion Etoile at Cheltenham on Sunday.

Richard Johnson will miss the high-profile rides on Rooster Booster and Monkerhostin at Cheltenham this weekend after x-rays revealed that he sustained pelvic damage in a fall at Haydock last week.

CORK tomorrow houses a smashing programme and the welcome presence of Tony McCoy will certainly boost what should be a healthy attendance in any case.

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.

Rooster Booster, runner-up to Sacundai in the Martell Cognac Aintree Hurdle 12 months ago, will bid to go one better in the Grade One contest on Saturday.

ROOSTER BOOSTER is in "tip-top shape" for his bid to complete back-to-back victories in the Smurfit Champion Hurdle on today's opening day of the Cheltenham Festival.

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

Philip Hobbs believes Monkerhostin and Made In Japan hold winning chances at next week’s Cheltenham Festival.

Reigning champions Best Mate, Rooster Booster, Moscow Flyer and Baracouda were declared to go forward to defend their Cheltenham Festival titles following yesterday’s forfeit stage for the nine championship races.

Philip Hobbs admitted today that the Smurfit Champion Hurdle can’t come quick enough for Rooster Booster.

Rooster Booster was denied victory in Newbury today, finishing second in the Tote Gold Trophy for the third time in four years.

CHAMPION Hurdle hero Rooster Booster has been installed 11-2 favourite with the sponsors for the Tote Gold Trophy at Newbury next month following the publication of the weights yesterday.

Rooster Booster will face six rivals when he bids to get back on the winning track in the Jobs@Pertemps City Christmas Hurdle at Kempton Park on St Stephen's Day.

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.

CHAMPION Hurdle aspirant Back In Front gets the vote to beat Intersky Falcon in a fascinating John James McManus Memorial Hurdle at Tipperary tomorrow.

Charlie Swan said goodbye to a glittering career in the saddle as he retired from riding at Aintree today.

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

Champion jockey Tony McCoy enjoyed another successful day at Kempton riding a double, highlighted by a brave victory on Zafarabad in the feature Skybet.com Gold Cup Chase.

Ireland has entered seven horses for the Nakayama Grand Jump on April 13, with Florida Pearl leading the pack.