IT is now or never for Beef Or Salmon.

THE Cheltenham Gold Cup, like most of the rest of the Festival races, is not a happy hunting ground for favourites, with only five having won it in the last 20 years — two of them coming from the unfortunate Best Mate.

Paul Nicholls is looking forward to a “big run” from Strong Flow in tomorrow’s totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Pat Keane

The participation of Grey Abbey in the totesport Gold Cup on Friday remains in the balance, despite the front-running grey being one of 16 declared for the blue riband today.

Farmer Jack, who was supplemented for Friday’s totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup at a cost of £17,500 (€25,200), has died after suffering a suspected heart attack.

Farmer Jack, who was entered in Friday's totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup, died on the gallops this morning.

Philip Hobbs has supplemented Farmer Jack for next Friday’s totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup at a cost of £17,500 (€25,000).

Paul Nicholls has insisted that lack of race-fitness will not be used as an excuse when Strong Flow lines up in next week’s totesport Gold Cup at Cheltenham.

TRAINER Philip Hobbs yesterday declared that Rooster Booster is almost certain to bid for an ambitious double at Cheltenham next week.

STRONG FLOW, Back In Front, Azertyuiop, and plenty of others as well, ensure that no jockey will feel a greater sense of optimism facing into next week’s Cheltenham Festival than Ruby Walsh.

Philip Hobbs is keeping a close eye on the weather as he contemplates a crack at the Irish Independent Arkle Trophy with Made In Japan.

David Johnson is hoping to recruit Tony McCoy to ride Therealbandit in next month’s totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Venn Ottery, who holds lofty entries at Cheltenham and Aintree, could have his first run for Martin Pipe at Newbury on Saturday.

JOCKEY CLUB officials were none-the-wiser yesterday as to whether champion trainer Martin Pipe will attend a scheduled hearing tomorrow over his refusal to allow a horse to be dope-tested at Haydock last week.

TOM TAAFFE is leaning towards running his exciting Kicking King in the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup rather than the inaugural Daily Telegraph Chase at the Festival next month.

Tom Taaffe is leaning towards running his exciting Kicking King in the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup rather than the inaugural Daily Telegraph Chase at the Festival next month.

Kicking King, winner of the King George VI Chase, heads 39 entries for the inaugural Daily Telegraph Festival Trophy Chase at Cheltenham.

CHRISTMAS plans for Azertyuiop remain uncertain as Paul Nicholls considers whether to step his star two-miler up in distance for the Stan James King George VI Chase at Kempton on St Stephen's Day.

CHAMPION hurdler Hardy Eustace will start back on the road to a Cheltenham defence when he has his first run of the season at Navan on Sunday.

Azertyuiop galloped to the top of the BHB’s Order Of Merit leaderboard this afternoon despite coming off second best to Moscow Flyer in the William Hill Tingle Creek Trophy at Sandown Park.

Philip Hobbs today revealed that Rooster Booster will run in the totesport Bula Hurdle at Cheltenham on December 11.

EDREDON BLEU, who dominated the Peterborough Chase for four years from 1998 to 2001, heads the entries for this year’s contest in the likely absence of stablemates Best Mate and Impek.

Philip Hobbs is hopeful Monkerhostin can take advantage of an attractive handicap mark in the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham.

TONY DOBBIN has picked up the plum ride on Monkerhostin, the favourite for Saturday’s Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham.

MONKERHOSTIN is the new ante-post favourite for Saturday’s Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham after original market leader Our Vic was ruled out yesterday.

Philip Hobbs believes Monkerhostin and Made In Japan hold winning chances at next week’s Cheltenham Festival.

A record number of entries have been made for the Weatherbys Champion Bumper at the Cheltenham Festival next week.

AZERTYUIOP, second to Moscow Flyer in the William Hill Tingle Creek Trophy at Sandown in December, faces a tough task giving weight all round in Saturday’s Victor Chandler Chase at Ascot.

Seamus Mullins has his string in top form and the Salisbury-based trainer is keeping his fingers crossed that tomorrow’s meeting at Sandown beats the weather after his big-race hopes were given a boost by Kentford Fern’s success at wintry Southwell.

Ascot’s Ritz Club Chase lost much of its gloss when Tiutchev was a shock withdrawal this morning but champion duo Martin Pipe and Tony McCoy were certainly not complaining as Tresor De Mai took the honours.

William Hill Handicap Hurdle result