Ruby Walsh is confident he can waste down to close to the minimum weight in order to give Granit Jack his optimum chance in Saturday's Paddy Power Gold Cup.

Ferdy Murphy is hoping Joes Edge makes the cut in the John Smith’s Grand National after getting up in the shadow of the post to win the William Hill Trophy Handicap Chase on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival.

EBAZIYAN got the Irish off to a flying start in the Anglo Irish Bank Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham yesterday, but the grey’s success was met by an almost deathly silence as he crossed the line, giving rider, Davy Condon, a first Festival winner.

Ebaziyan and Davy Condon ran out surprise 40-1 winners of the Anglo Irish Bank Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, the opening race of the 2007 Cheltenham Festival.

AMARETTO ROSE’S main obstacle ahead of the Anglo Irish Bank Supreme Novices’ Hurdle could be her lack of match practice, according to handler Nicky Henderson.

Nicky Henderson’s Amaretto Rose will face 21 rivals in the Anglo Irish Bank Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.

CHAMPION trainer Paul Nicholls will call on the likes of Kauto Star and Denman at the Cheltenham Festival next month.

Champion trainer Paul Nicholls will call on the likes of Kauto Star and Denman at the Cheltenham Festival next month but of his more low-profile contenders, he is particularly keen on the chance of Nycteos in the Racing Post Plate.

Granit Jack came over from France with a huge reputation and it will be a big surprise if he cannot get off the mark in his division of the UBS “National Hunt” Novices’ Hurdle at Taunton.

STAR De Mohasion brightened up a gloomy afternoon at Sandown for champion trainer Paul Nicholls when landing the John Smith’s Future Stars Chase.