ODDS-ON favourite Karasiyra gave John Oxx and the Aga Khan a third consecutive win in the listed Lenabane Stakes at Roscommon last night.

THE progressive Leblon should prove hard to beat in the Listowel Writers’ Week Mares Hurdle at the Kerry track this afternoon.

Barizan could be heading to the Punchestown Festival following his fine second in the JCB Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham last month.

Nicky Henderson added to the embarrassment of riches in his hurdling team as Soldatino provided him with a fifth success in the JCB Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham.

NIGEL Twiston-Davies rounded off a wonderful day when Baby Run ran the opposition ragged to take the Christis's Foxhunter Chase.

Soldatino belied his inexperience to deny Barizan a gutsy front-running success by bridging a Grand Canyon-size gap in the JCB Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham.

DAVY RUSSELL will not be worrying about any of his rivals as he gets the leg up on Carlito Brigante in today’s JCB Triumph Hurdle.

SO this is it, the highlight of the entire week and the only real question to be answered at Cheltenham today is whether I can win a third Gold Cup on Kauto Star.

ANDREW McNamara feels Tranquil Sea and Alaivan are his two best chances of glory at Cheltenham.

PHILIP Hobbs believes Qaspal will need plenty of luck just to get a run at Cheltenham despite his battling victory in the Paddy Power Imperial Cup.

Edward O’Grady’s Alaivan heads up 29 possibles for Friday’s JCB Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

DENIS O’Regan is under no illusions as to the task facing Tidal Bay in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle at Cheltenham.

WILLIE MULLINS has finally given up the fight to get the brilliant Mikael D’Haguenet to Cheltenham.

EDWARD O’Grady warned punters Osana has yet to reach his peak this season ahead of his tilt at the Irish Independent Arkle Challenge Trophy at Cheltenham.

A LETTER in the Racing Post last Sunday didn’t half catch the eye of this observer.

Alaivan boosted his Triumph Hurdle claims with an effortless success in the Winning Fair Juvenile Hurdle at Fairyhouse today.

Check out our tips from today’s horse races across Ireland and the UK.

MORNING SUPREME is the nap choice to run her rivals ragged in the Grade 2 paddypower.com Novice Hurdle at Naas tomorrow.

Sizing Europe maintained his unbeaten record over fences in the Grade One Board na Mona – With Nature Novice Chase at Leopardstown – but not without a scare.

IT is not beyond the bounds of possibility that the McNamara brothers, Andrew and Robbie, will take Leopardstown by storm on Stephen’s Day.

LONG odds-on Apt Approach had to dig deep to beat Taradoun in the Lisronagh Beginners Chase at Clonmel yesterday.

YOU’D imagine the December Festival Hurdle at Leopardstown at Christmas is going to have a major bearing on the way the market will shape up for the Champion Hurdle heading into the New Year.

ALAIVAN is a best-priced 8/1 favourite for the JCB Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham in the wake of his impressive hurdle debut victory at Gowran Park yesterday.

Alaivan looked a smart recruit to the jumping game when routing his rivals in the Fancy A Festive Flutter 3-Y-0 Hurdle at Gowran Park.

THE KINGS SWORD, trained by former Kilkenny hurler, Kieran Purcell, can land the nap in the 20-runner Christmas Vouchers Maiden Hurdle at Gowran Park this afternoon.

QUINOLA Des Obeaux is the nap choice to land the Kilberry Novice Hurdle at Navan this afternoon.

FAME And Glory bids to confirm Ballysax Stakes form and enhance his Classic credentials in the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial at Leopardstown tomorrow.

Alaivan gave the Classic-winning team of John Oxx and Mick Kinane further cause for celebration with a highly-promising victory at Gowran Park.