First-time blinkers were the remedy for Trenchant to savour the finest moment of his career in the totesport.com National Spirit Hurdle at Fontwell.

KASBAH BLISS is the nap choice to strike a blow for France in the Ladbrokes’ World Hurdle at Cheltenham this afternoon.

FRANCOIS Doumen admits he would not swap Kasbah Bliss for any other horse as the French handler goes in search of his third success in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle at Cheltenham today.

IT’S amazing how much interest the traditional after-racing gallop at Leopardstown last Sunday generated.

The name McManus is already synonymous with the National Hunt game and another member of the family secured his first winner as an owner at Clonmel.

Kasbah Bliss staked a claim on the Ladbrokes World Hurdle as Barry Keniry guided the French raider to a silky-smooth triumph in the RealHolidayReports.com Rendlesham Hurdle.

Michael Bowe believes the David Nicholson Mares’ Only Hurdle is a “long overdue” addition to the Cheltenham Festival programme.

Jack The Giant slayed the bookmakers as the result of a monumental gamble in The Ladbroke at Ascot.

The fine weather in Gloucestershire over the last few days has dried the ground enough for Jonjo O'Neill to declare Black Jack Ketchum, despite his reservations over soft ground.

Lucy Wadham’s rejuvenated mare United is to step back up into open company for the totesport.com National Spirit Hurdle at Fontwell on Sunday.

Inglis Drever, the 2005 Ladbrokes World Hurdle winner, is bang on target for the Byrne Bros Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham on January 27, before he will attempt to win back the title he relinquished through injury last year.

Former Stayers’ Hurdle winner Iris’s Gift has been retired.

First Gold has been retired by owner JP McManus and trainer Francois Doumen following his run in the John Smith’s Grand National.

French hurdling ace Baracouda has been retired after sustaining a slight injury at the Cheltenham Festival.

ON WEDNESDAY it was Moscow Flyer who passed the baton onto a new generation. Yesterday, Baracouda’s connections were left pondering a similar path after a gallant but unsuccessful bid for a third Cheltenham success.

My Way de Solzen picked up the torch for a new generation of staying hurdlers as he defied fears over the drying ground to land the Ladbrokes World Hurdle on the third day of the Cheltenham Festival.

ONE has to say the fare on offer at Cheltenham this afternoon leaves plenty to be desired and, from a punting point of view, there will surely be better days!

MOST people will be backing Baracouda for the Ladbrokes World Hurdle, but as I wrote on Tuesday, I feel his best days are behind him.

Francois Doumen believes Baracouda is as good as last year ahead of his bid to go one better in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle and claim the Cheltenham’s stayers’ championship for a third time tomorrow.

Baracouda heads a field of 22 in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle at Cheltenham on Thursday.

FRANCOIS DOUMEN reports star staying hurdler Baracouda in great form ahead of his attempt to land his third Ladbrokes World Hurdle crown.

Francois Doumen reports star staying hurdler Baracouda in great form ahead of his attempt to land his third Ladbrokes World Hurdle crown.

IRIS’S GIFT will go straight to the Cheltenham Gold Cup without a prep run.

FRANCOIS DOUMEN has revealed former champion stayer Baracouda could be joined by stablemates Millenium Royal and Blue Canyon in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle on March 16.

Francois Doumen has revealed former champion stayer Baracouda could be joined by stablemates Millenium Royal and Blue Canyon in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle on March 16.

A total of 50 entries, 15 more than in 2005, have been revealed for the Ladbrokes World Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival on March 16.

Royal Rosa has been cut into 10-1 by Coral for the Ladbrokes World Hurdle ahead of his return to action at Cheltenham on January 28.

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.

Baracouda will miss Tuesday’s totesport Long Walk Hurdle at Chepstow after suffering a minor setback.

Inglis Drever will face a maximum of 11 rivals in Tuesday’s totesport Long Walk Hurdle at Chepstow.

Baracouda will miss Tuesday’s totesport Long Walk Hurdle at Chepstow after suffering a minor setback.

Inglis Drever will bid to maintain his status as champion stayer after being confirmed a definite runner in the rescheduled totesport Long Walk Hurdle at Chepstow on December 27.

INGLIS DREVER will bid to maintain his status as champion stayer after being confirmed a definite runner in the rescheduled totesport Long Walk Hurdle at Chepstow on December 27.

Inglis Drever will bid to maintain his status as champion stayer after being confirmed a definite runner in the rescheduled totesport Long Walk Hurdle at Chepstow on December 27.

Connections of Baracouda are likely to consider running in the totesport Long Walk Hurdle if the race is rescheduled.

BARACOUDA will miss the totesport Long Walk Hurdle at Windsor on Saturday after an administrative error at Francois Doumen's yard ruled the French ace out of this weekend's showpiece.

French ace Baracouda is not among the nine confirmations for the totesport Long Walk Hurdle at Windsor on Saturday.

Inglis Drever could take on Baracouda for a second time this season in Saturday’s totesport Long Walk Hurdle at Windsor.

JUSTIFIED, a leading candidate for the Irish Independent Arkle Challenge Trophy, has been ruled of a possible engagement at Fairyhouse this weekend.

Baracouda, four-time winner of the totesport Long Walk Hurdle, heads the 18 entries for this year’s renewal at Windsor on December 17.

Inglis Drever left a huge crowd at Newbury in no doubt he is the best staying hurdler around as he confirmed his Cheltenham superiority over Baracouda in the Ballymore Properties Long Distance Hurdle.

Dancing Bay may take on champion staying hurdlers Baracouda and Inglis Drever at Newbury on Saturday.

TRABOLGAN is now favourite for the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup following continued heavy sport.