BARRY GERAGHTY has come in for the plum ride on Paul Nicholls’ exciting novice chaser Hoo La Baloo in Saturday’s Victor Chandler Handicap Chase.

Albuhera and Armaturk will be out to continue the hot streak of Paul Nicholls in the Victor Chandler Chase at Cheltenham on Saturday.

Racing Demon heads a list of 57 entries for the Irish Independent Arkle Challenge Trophy at the Cheltenham Festival.

Sue Smith is considering aiming Mister McGoldrick at the Victor Chandler Chase at Cheltenham next month.

Albuhera is to form an important part of Paul Nicholls’ Christmas operation following his decisive success over Copsale Lad in the Dubai Duty Free Fulke Walwyn Novices’ Chase at Newbury.

Roman Ark was the subject of a massive gamble today with the sponsors for Saturday’s totesport Trophy and is now 7-1 from 11-1 for the Newbury showpiece.

ALBUHERA was a surprise withdrawal from the totesport Trophy Hurdle at yesterday’s confirmation stage.

MONTE CINTO is now the 9-2 favourite for Saturday’s Ladbroke Handicap Hurdle after the five-day entries were revealed yesterday.

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.

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.

“Faugh-A-Ballagh”

LIBERMAN, winner of the Weatherbys Champion Bumper in March, can make a successful jumping debut in the Dunbar Maiden Hurdle on a surprise visit to Musselburgh today.

Smurfit Champion Hurdle fourth Self Defense faces six rivals in a cracking renewal of the William Hill Winter Novices’ Hurdle at Sandown tomorrow.

Baracouda again put the pretenders in their place as he made a winning reappearance in the Ballymore Properties Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury today.

PAUL NICHOLLS was left puzzling over the enigma that is Cenkos after the 7-1 chance had surprised everyone to score on his first run since May at Cheltenham yesterday.

CONNECTIONS of Beef Or Salmon have decided to bypass the Powers Gold Cup at Fairyhouse today due to the prevailing fast ground.

Alec Stewart expressed himself satisfied with the stall positions of his two fancied Freephone Stanley Lincoln contenders Colisay and Selective following the draw for Saturday’s big handicap at Doncaster.