There was a huge shock in a dramatic opener at Newbury this afternoon as Crafty Roberto ran out a fortunate winner as favourite Grumeti crashed out.

Nicky Henderson and Barry Geraghty took the honours on the final day of the Punchestown Festival with a 235-1 treble – highlighted by Grandouet’s win in the AES Champion Four Year Old Hurdle.

Imperial Commander was reported to be much more like his old self as he continued the build-up to his defence of the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup with a gallop before racing at Kempton.

OSCAR WHISKY will know he has had a race after clashing with the mighty Dunguib in the Spinal Research Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham, according to trainer Nicky Henderson.

Bookmaker Paddy Power has launched an eyecatching special ahead of the Cheltenham Festival by announcing they will return all losing bets in the Spinal Research Supreme Novices’ Hurdle if the red-hot favourite Dunguib wins.

Vincent O’Brien County Hurdle possible Inventor could head a team of at least three for owner Jon Glews at the Cheltenham Festival.

The mighty Dunguib features among 104 entries for the Spinal Research Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham on March 16.

LAST Saturday bookmakers Paddy Power and Boylesports did something which barely got a mention in the press, but surely merited a lot more in the way of publicity.

Nicky Henderson broke new ground when Giorgio Quercus and Bellvano provided the master of Seven Barrows with his first winners at Musselburgh today.