Irish-trained runners were utterly dominant at the Cheltenham Festival, recording a record haul, but the British-based trainers are fighting back on the return trip, to Punchestown, writes Tommy Lyons.

Top jockey Barry Geraghty has been ruled out of the Cheltenham Festival after suffering a collapsed lung and six broken ribs in a fall at Kempton Park yesterday.

Jockey Noel Fehily will not ride at Fairyhouse today, said trainer Neil Mulholland.

Jockey Noel Fehily believes a spin over hurdles was just what the doctor ordered for Silviniaco Conti ahead of his bid to win the Betfair Chase for a third time at Haydock on Saturday.

The days of Kauto Star, Denman, Big Buck’s, Master Minded and Ruby Walsh are long gone for Paul Nicholls, writes Pat Keane.

The New One’s Stan James Champion Hurdle preparations neared completion yesterday with a satisfactory schooling session.

Trainer Harry Fry admits there is “every possibility” Rock On Ruby will require a new rider in the World Hurdle at Cheltenham on March 12.

Parlour Games strengthened his claims for the Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival with a performance of sheer class in the Betfred Goals Galore Challow Hurdle at Newbury yesterday.

Paul Nicholls tightened his stranglehold on the William Hill King George VI Chase when 15-8 favourite Silviniaco Conti provided him with a record ninth success in the St Stephen’ s Day feature at Kempton.

Jockey Noel Fehily is in confident mood as Silviniaco Conti prepares to defend his crown in the William Hill King George VI Chase at Kempton on Friday.

Sam Twiston-Davies is to replace Daryl Jacob as stable jockey to champion trainer Paul Nicholls next season.

National Hunt racing is a notoriously tough game to make a name for oneself, but Gavin Sheehan has been doing just that.

Nicky Henderson believes Silviniaco Conti is the major obstacle in Bobs Worth’s defence of his Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup title today.

Fortune favoured Galway Jack as he made virtually all the running to take the feature totepool.com Best Odds On Irish Lotto Handicap Chase at Southwell.

Officials at Leopardstown will monitor weather conditions heading into today’s second day of the Christmas meeting with high winds and heavy rain forecast.

A decision on whether Rock On Ruby will remain over hurdles or begin a novice chase campaign next season will be made over the summer.

I was appalled listening to the interview with Ms Fehily of the Revenue Commissioners on the Pat Kenny radio show on Thursday, Mar 7.

Last year’s Champion Hurdle hero Rock On Ruby heads a small but select team of just four runners in the 32 Red Hurdle at Doncaster today.

Nigel Twiston-Davies has unearthed another gem in The New One, whose bloodless success at Warwick has fuelled understandable Cheltenham Festival dreams.

The Cork-born jockey who broke his leg in last Saturday’s action-packed Grand National has described as ‘rubbish’ the suggestion the race is too dangerous.

Noel Fehily was last night recovering well in hospital following surgery on the leg he injured in the fall on State Of Play in Saturday’s John Smith’s Grand National at Aintree.

Noel Fehily is having an operation on his broken leg today following his fall from State Of Play in the John Smith's Grand National.

The last few weeks have been the best of times for Noel Fehily.

Owner Dai Walters is hoping Oscar Whisky will be seen in his true light when he returns to the scene of his greatest success at Aintree on Saturday.

It might have been a nightmare Champion Hurdle for Irish punters, but part of West Cork was celebrating last night after Castletownkinneigh’s Noel Fehily steered Paul Nicholls’ Rock On Ruby to glory yesterday.

Punters were left shocked when Hurricane Fly finished third in the Champion Hurdle behind Rock On Ruby and Overturn.

Rock On Ruby ran out a most impressive winner of the Stan James Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham under Noel Fehily.

Rock On Ruby, trained by Paul Nicholls and ridden by Noel Fehily, won the Stan James Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham.

PAUL NOLAN is unsure how Joncol will handle conditions at Newbury as he prepares to take his chance in Saturday’s Hennessy Gold Cup.

Noel Fehily is confident a lack of race fitness will not be a problem for Michel Le Bon after riding his Hennessy Gold Cup mount in a schooling session on Tuesday morning.

NOEL Fehily hopes to be back in action shortly after being sidelined by a wrist injury since November.

LESS than a year ago, prior to Cheltenham, Paul Nicholls was in Cork for a Festival preview night at Fermoy.

NOEL FEHILY hopes to be back before the Cheltenham Festival as he prepares for surgery on his wrist injury.

Tony McCoy is to ride Kauto Star in the William Hill King George VI Chase at Kempton on St Stephen's Day after Noel Fehily ruled himself out.

AIDAN O’Brien was yesterday fined just over €12,000 by the British Horseracing Authority disciplinary panel, in relation to the Cape Blanco affair at York in May.

Tony McCoy is to ride Kauto Star in the William Hill King George VI Chase at Kempton on December 26 after Noel Fehily ruled himself out.

NOEL Fehily looks to have earned a late reprieve to ride at Cheltenham’s big two-day meeting which gets under way today.

Noel Fehily looks to have earned a late reprieve to ride at Cheltenham's big two-day meeting which gets under way on Friday.

Noel Fehily’s comeback has been delayed after being told by British Horseracing Authority chief medical advisor Dr Michael Turner that he will not be allowed to return to the saddle this weekend.

NOEL Fehily would like to be back in the saddle at least a week before his intended ride on Kauto Star in the William Hill King George VI Chase on Boxing Day.