It is Round Four for the season in Ireland between Hurricane Fly and Jezki but it is a battle with a difference this time, taking place over three miles in the World Hurdle (5.30). 

Willie Mullins does not expect the step up to three miles to trouble Hurricane Fly as he tests his powers over the staying distance for the first time in today’s Ladbrokes World Series Hurdle.

Buiseness Sivola showed a smart change of gear to run out an impressive winner of the REA Grimes Property Consultants Hurdle at Fairyhouse yesterday.

Owner Andy Stewart has revealed Saphir Du Rheu will revert to smaller obstacles for a likely tilt at the Ladbrokes World Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

Nicky Henderson pointed to the effects of a lengthy season taking its toll on Long Run as the former Cheltenham Gold Cup hero was well beaten in the Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris at Auteuil yesterday.

Willie Mullins’ Thousand Stars came back to something approaching his best when running away with the Grade 2 Keelings’ Irish Strawberry Hurdle at Fairyhouse yesterday.

What a great day to be on the couch, with the Grand National from Aintree and Heineken Cup rugby on the box! But, you know what, I’d give anything to be at Aintree, in the thick of the action.

Big Buck’s and Annie Power feature among a field of 12 declared for Thursday’s Ladbrokes World Hurdle at Cheltenham as the former bids to regain his stayers’ crown.

Hurricane Fly will face a maximum 11 rivals in his bid for a third Stan James Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham on Tuesday after veteran Captain Cee Bee was added to the field.

Four-times champion Big Buck’s tops 29 entries for the Ladbrokes World Hurdle at Cheltenham on March 13.

Well, those who were of the opinion that most of the top horses in the country were housed in the one place, at Willie Mullins’, discovered it wasn’t quite as simple as that over the four days of the Leopardstown Christmas festival Mullins had a reasonably good meeting, winning six of the 28 races, but his dominance was nowhere near as pronounced as some might have anticipated.

Even by Ruby Walsh’s seriously high standards, this could only be described as an extraordinary ride.

Willie Mullins believes a sound surface will bring out the best in Thousand Stars as he aims to clinch a French Champion Hurdle hat-trick at Auteuil tomorrow.

Sprinter Sacre might have been below-par the last time he was seen in action at Punchestown but he was still able to finish by far and away the top chaser of the Anglo-Irish Jump Classifications, published yesterday.

Hurricane Fly joined Kauto Star as a 16-times Grade 1 winner when cruising to victory for Ruby Walsh in the Rabobank Champion Hurdle at Punchestown last evening.

Hurricane Fly produced another scintillating display in the hands of Ruby Walsh to claim the Rabobank Champion Hurdle at Punchestown for the fourth successive year.

Today is all about one of my favourite horses, Hurricane Fly, in the Rabobank Champion Hurdle.

Paul Nicholls had started to doubt the desire of Zarkandar but the application of blinkers and a step up in trip showed the six-year-old in a vastly different light as he thwarted The New One in what looked a top-quality John Smith’s Aintree Hurdle.

Owner Dai Walters has confirmed Oscar Whisky remains on course to bid for a hat-trick in the John Smith’s Aintree Hurdle on Thursday week.

Navan on Tuesday and Punchestown on Wednesday provided valuable lessons for any punters who thought they had this game cracked.

On His Own consolidated his position as favourite for the John Smiths Grand National at Aintree when proving a shock winner of the Grade 2 Ladbrokes.

Rubi Light can land the Grade 2 Red Mills Chase on a terrific card at Navan this afternoon.

Thousand Stars bids to make his first appearance at Navan a winning one when he lines up in the Ladbrokes Boyne Hurdle today.

Trainer Peter Casey says Flemenstar is “very unlikely” to run at the Cheltenham Festival nest month after being found to have a lung infection.

He may have done no more than was expected, but it was still a most taking display by Hurricane Fly in yesterday’s BHP Insurance Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown.

Ruby Walsh believes Hurricane Fly is back to the sort of form he was in two years ago after he partnered Willie Mullins’ charge to a third successive BHP Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown.

Hurricane Fly recorded his third successive win in the BHP Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown in most impressive fashion.

Willie Mullins feels Hurricane Fly is back to the level he was at two years ago as the nine-year-old prepares to go in search of his third BHP Insurance Irish Champion Hurdle crown in succession at Leopardstown on Sunday.

Scintillating Naas scorer Rule The World is likely to head straight to the Cheltenham Festival in March should connections give a trip to Prestbury Park the green light.

Hurricane Fly advanced his claims to regain his Cheltenham crown with a 13th Grade One triumph in the Istabraq Festival Hurdle at Leopardstown.

Hurricane Fly swept to a comfortable success in the Istabraq Festival Hurdle at Leopardstown.

It was fantastic to win a third Lexus at Leopardstown yesterday on Tidal Bay, to go with previous victories on Rince Ri and Denman.

Henry de Bromhead has confirmed Sizing Europe will not run in the King George VI Chase at Kempton on St Stephen’s Day.

My first week back writing a regular column and it is a little disappointing that the rides I have aren’t a bit more attractive.

Rebel Fitz’s Champion Hurdle credentials could be given a serious examination at Tipperary this weekend after proven top-notcher Thousand Stars featured among his potential rivals.

Irish raiders were out of luck as Usual Suspects took Grade One honours in the Prix Alain Du Breil at Auteuil yesterday.

Trainer Willie Mullins is optimistic Thousand Stars can successfully defend his crown in the French Champion Hurdle at Auteuil on Sunday.

Thousand Stars led home Zaidpour to give Willie Mullins a one-two in the Gras Savoye Hipcover Prix La Barka at Auteuil yesterday.

It was a case of mission accomplished for Hurricane Fly in the Rabobank Champion Hurdle at Punchestown last evening, but his performance didn’t overly please either Willie Mullins or Ruby Walsh.

Hurricane Fly put his disappointing run at Cheltenham behind him by claiming his third successive victory in the Rabobank Champion Hurdle at Punchestown this afternoon.

Punchestown continues its battle with the elements this evening, housing a five-race card headed by the Rabobank Champion Hurdle, if the course passes an 8am inspection.

Mouse Morris believes the ground is more of a concern than the trip for First Lieutenant in today’s Ryanair Novice Chase at Punchestown.

I want to start by describing what Punchestown achieved on Wednesday as quite brilliant.

Super mares Quevega and Voler La Vedette are among 13 five-day entries for the Ladbrokes.com World Series Hurdle at Punchestown on Thursday.