Donald McCain is confident Peddlers Cross is at the peak of his powers as he puts his unbeaten record on the line in the Stan James Champion Hurdle on Tuesday.

NO National Hunt racing today or, you’d imagine, for the foreseeable future gives us a chance to draw breath.

Punters keeping faith with Cheltenham form suffered another reverse as Menorah became the fifth Festival winner to be turned over at Aintree with General Miller landing the John Smith’s Top Novices’ Hurdle.

THAT’S the beauty of Cheltenham. For every disappointment – and there were plenty yesterday, starting with Dunguib – there is a heart-warming tale to soften the blow of those worthless dockets trampled underfoot.

BINOCULAR, a fast-finishing third the year before and a doubtful runner until relatively recently, stormed away with the Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle at sun-drenched Cheltenham yesterday.

SNOWY MORNING is the hopeful choice in the Grade 2 Kinloch Brae Chase at Thurles this afternoon.

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.

Nicky Henderson expects Champion Hurdler Punjabi to improve for the run ahead of Saturday’s Boylesports.com International at Cheltenham.

Selected tips from courses in the UK and Ireland.

WE’RE hoping that Tatenen can continue the great run of our novice chasers in the Intercasino.co.uk Molyneaux Novice Chase at Aintree today.

HARDY ANNUALS were in plentiful supply at Cheltenham yesterday as the racing and betting extravaganza got under way for 2008. Not in the flower beds, mind, but among the throng of national hunt fans who gathered for their annual splurge.