RIDING Hinterland in the opening juvenile hurdle at Cheltenham is a good way to start the day and I’ll be disappointed if he doesn’t win.

David Pipe is intending to run Great Endeavour in the Spinal Research The Atlantic 4 Gold Cup at Cheltenham this weekend.

Kauto Star showed his well-being ahead of the Guinness Gold Cup at the Punchestown Festival with a pleasing piece of work at the weekend.

I HAVE had it in my head for a long time that The Midnight Club could be an ideal Grand National candidate and am obviously very much looking forward to riding him at Aintree this afternoon.

A NEW addition to the Festival, it attracts those novices that don’t possess the speed for the Arkle but similarly don’t have the stamina or will to tackle the RSA Chase.

THE sun is shining; the Taoiseach is gallivanting for Washington and Tracy Piggott is smiling so much she could be galloping down to Thomond Park of a Friday night.

CAPTAIN CHRIS justified trainer Philip Hobbs’ last-minute decision to run in the Irish Independent Arkle Trophy at Cheltenham by seeing off the free-going Finian’s Rainbow after the final fence.

THE Noel Meade-trained Realt Dubh is the sole Irish challenger in this afternoon’s Arkle Novices’ Chase.

IMPORTANT Cheltenham clues were promised at Huntingdon yesterday but after mixed messages from the connections of Starluck and a defeat for Minella Class, punters were rather left scratching their heads.

ALAN FLEMING has revealed Tony McCoy will partner Starluck on his chasing debut at Huntingdon on Thursday with a view to riding him in the Arkle Trophy at Cheltenham.

PAUL NICHOLLS is hopeful a breathing operation will help Denman produce a better finishing effort when he goes for further Cheltenham Gold Cup glory next month.

Paul Nicholls is hopeful a breathing operation will help Denman produce a better finishing effort when he goes for further Cheltenham Gold Cup glory next month.

HENRY de Bromhead reports Loosen My Load on target for the Jewson Novices’ Chase at Cheltenham on March 17.

SAM Waley-Cohen believes Long Run can be an even better horse in the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup than he was when running away with the King George VI Chase at Kempton.

CHARLES BYRNES has confirmed it is “more than likely” stable star Solwhit will bypass the Cheltenham Festival in favour of a trip to Aintree in April.

Ghizao made virtually all the running to take the Independent Newspaper Novices' Chase at Cheltenham with a superb round of jumping today.

I’M just about coming to terms now with what happened at Down Royal last Saturday, it was certainly an afternoon of mixed fortune and mixed emotion.

CHELTENHAM is a magical place and I am really looking forward to seven rides there this afternoon for Paul Nicholls.

Willie Mullins has 13 entries as he chases a third successive victory in the Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham on March 17.

General Miller’s target at the Cheltenham Festival has still to be decided after the abandonment of the Tolworth Hurdle.

THERE’S a strong possibility this could well develop into a hugely frustrating weekend.

DR Wintringham can reap the reward from stepping back up to a mile in the Betdaq The Betting Exchange Handicap at Lingfield today.

Nicky Henderson’s General Miller is unlikely to put his unbeaten record on the line in Saturday’s Blue Square Tolworth Hurdle at Sandown.

Enda Bolger and owner JP McManus must never have thought they would find a horse to replace Spot Thedifference but Garde Champetre edged closer to surpassing his achievements at Cheltenham today.

Owner Andy Stewart has dismissed any chance of Ghizao running in the Weatherbys Champion Bumper at the Cheltenham Festival in March.

No sooner had Sizing Europe advertised his claims for next year’s Arkle Trophy with a smooth win in Ireland than Tataniano struck back for the home team with an equally impressive performance at Cheltenham.

MY main ambition, as far as Cheltenham today is concerned, is to walk out of the place relatively unscathed.