Bookmakers’ celebrations continued at Cheltenham today as another day ended with punters going home potless again.

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!

Cheltenham specialist Fondmort will bid to go one place better than last year in tomorrow’s Ryanair Chase on the third day of the Festival.

Nicky Henderson welcomed the rain that has maintained cut in the ground at Cheltenham as he put the finishing touches on a 24-strong team for next week’s Festival.

Mick Fitzgerald believes Fondmort has a live chance of winning the Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

MONKERHOSTIN is likely to head straight to the Cheltenham Gold Cup after connections opted to bypass the Ascot totesport Chase at Lingfield on Saturday.

Low-lying sun meant no fewer than six fences were omitted from the Unicoin Homes Chase at Cheltenham as thousands of racegoers packed the stands on New Year’s Day.

The Listener maintained his unbeaten record over fences with a brave victory in the Unicoin Homes “Dipper” Novices’ Chase at Cheltenham.

Philip Hobbs is hoping either Monkerhostin or Lacdoudal can spoil the Paddy Power Gold Cup party for Martin Pipe tomorrow.

Ryanair have stepped in to replace the Daily Telegraph as sponsors of the newest championship chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

Thisthatandtother, trained by Paul Nicholls and ridden by Ruby Walsh, won the Daily Telegraph Festival Trophy at Cheltenham today.

Nicky Henderson was satisfied with the performance of his Cheltenham Festival team when they worked at Newbury this morning.

TRAINER Tom Taaffe reports Kicking King to be “100 per cent” ahead of his big test in the Stan James King George VI Chase on St Stephen’s Day.

A total of 13 horses stood their ground for the Stan James King George VI Chase at Kempton Park following today’s final declaration stage.

RUBY WALSH has opted to ride Azertyuiop instead of stable companion and second-favourite Le Roi Miguel in Sunday’s Stan James King George VI Chase at Kempton Park.

There is no finer sight than a competitive field of steeplechasers battling it out around Cheltenham in front of the TV cameras and that is the treat jump fans can look forward to next week.

NICKY HENDERSON could run both Calling Brave and Fondmort in the Stan James King George VI Chase at Kempton on St Stephen’s Day.

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.

Tikram (12-1) finished with a wet sail under Timmy Murphy to land the Mildmay Of Flete Challenge Cup.

FLORIDA PEARL, a 25-1 shot for the Gold Cup with Cashmans, will miss Cheltenham and the rest of the campaign.

RACING in Britain looks to have emerged from the freeze-up in time for the majority of today’s meetings to go ahead with no expected problems.

Lei Roi Miguel features among a high-class field of seven declared for the Servo Computer Services’ Ascot Chase on Saturday and trainer Paul Nicholls hopeful of a big run over a trip that should be to his liking.

Beef Or Salmon has recovered from a slight setback and is on course for the Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup.

IRISH raider Kadoun came in for significant support with the Big Three bookmakers yesterday ahead of his run in tomorrow’s £100,000 Tripleprint Gold Cup.Way Chase at Cork.

Trainer Nicky Henderson is still in two minds over whether to go for Saturday’s Tripleprint Gold Cup with Fondmort or take in the King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day instead.

Connections of See More Business will carefully consider their options before deciding where the veteran performer runs next.

Redemption, branded one of the unluckiest chasers in training, experienced a change of fortune at last when winning at Newbury last week.

Philip Hobbs finally takes the wraps off champion hurdler Rooster Booster at Cheltenham next week.

“Faugh-A-Ballagh”

NICKY HENDERSON is considering his options for Fondmort after entering the impressive Paddy Power Gold Cup winner in the Pertemps King George VI Chase at Kempton on St Stephen's Day.

TONY McCOY will be hoping he has picked the right horse in the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham today, having chosen the wrong one in the equivalent event 12 months ago.

Tony McCoy will be hoping he has picked the right horse in the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham tomorrow, having chosen the wrong one in the equivalent event 12 months ago.

Mick Fitzgerald gained sweet revenge over the final fence at Newbury today when Mighty Strong laid the ghost of a horrible fall 12 months ago in the Lane Fox Chase.

THE drying conditions at Kempton will be good news for the connections of Gunther McBride for Saturday's Racing Post Chase .

WEIGHTS for the Racing Post Chase are set to rise

FLORIDA PEARL is unlikely to make a sixth visit to the Cheltenham Festival after it was revealed that the 11-year-old scoped badly after being pulled up in the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Leopardstown on Sunday.

A TOTAL of 18 horses have been confirmed for the £120,000 Victor Chandler Chase at Ascot on Saturday.

Two Irish-trained runners, Willie Mullins’ Killultagh Storm and Youllneverwalkalone from Christy Roche’s yard have been declared for tomorrow's feature event - the £100,000 (€155,285) Tripleprint Gold Cup at Cheltenham.

Poliantas proved the punters all wrong and became the highlight of a memorable treble for Timmy Murphy with a dogged success in the feature contest at Wincanton today.

Irish Independent Arkle Challenge Trophy hope Seebald is on course for the Festival and is likely to head straight for Cheltenham without another run.