Sprinter Sacre is set to line up for the Sodexo Clarence House Chase at Ascot on Saturday after trainer Nicky Henderson “pressed the green button” following an all-important walk of the course on Thursday morning.

Ruby Walsh had an armchair ride on his only mount at Thurles yesterday - the long absent Isleofhopendreams which coasted to a smooth odds-on success in the Killinan Handicap Hurdle.

Boston Bob is all set to take in the John Mulhern Galmoy Hurdle at Gowran on Thursday as he builds-up to challenge for the Ladbrokes World Hurdle at Cheltenham.

When Jim Culloty walks through his stables at Mount Corbitt in Churchtown, Cork, he tends to count the heads of his horses.

Nicky Henderson is thankful Cheltenham’s big meeting today looks likely to beat the weather as it enables him to get Sprinter Sacre back in action in the rearranged Victor Chandler Chase.

Sprinter Sacre will have six rivals in tomorrow’s Victor Chandler Chase at Ascot, if the meeting survives a 4.30pm precautionary inspection today.

David Pipe has reaffirmed his belief Grands Crus is a well handicapped horse ahead of his eagerly anticipated return in the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham.

Mick Channon is looking forward to increasing his working relationship with Henrietta Knight once he takes delivery of the bulk of her National Hunt string.

Henrietta Knight has announced her retirement, the three-times Gold Cup-winning trainer said on her website.

John Smith’s Grand National favourite Junior is likely to have his first run of the season at Newbury on Friday as he builds up to the greatest race of them all.

Lexus Chase winner Synchronised has been allotted top weight of 11st 10lb for this year’s John Smith’s Grand National at Aintree.

Last year’s Aintree hero Ballabriggs features among the 82 entries for the John Smith’s Grand National on April 14.

HENRIETTA KNIGHT is leaving a decision on Somersby’s Cheltenham target until as late as possible because of the unpredictability of the British weather.

BIG BUCK’S treated Cheltenham racegoers to a preview of what will surely be a fourth victory in March’s Ladbrokes World Hurdle when winning for the 15th time in-a-row on Saturday.

Henrietta Knight is leaving a decision on Somersby’s Cheltenham target until as late as possible because of the unpredictability of the British weather.

Alasi booked her ticket for a third trip to the Cheltenham Festival with a narrow victory in the Sky Bet Mobile For Android Doncaster Mares' Hurdle on Town Moor this afternoon.

Somersby (9-2) finally gained the big victory his consistent efforts deserved when wearing down Finian's Rainbow in the 25th Anniversary of the Victor Chandler Chase at Ascot this afternoon.

Four commands respect with Festival in mind

There was a huge shock in a dramatic opener at Newbury this afternoon as Crafty Roberto ran out a fortunate winner as favourite Grumeti crashed out.

FINIAN’S Rainbow features among eight confirmations for Saturday’s 25th Anniversary Of The Victor Chandler Chase at Ascot.

CHAMPION CHASE hero Sizing Europe remains on course for next month’s Tied Cottage Chase at Punchestown ahead of the defence of his Cheltenham crown.

OSCAR WHISKY is poised to try to spoil Big Buck’s’ bid for a fourth Ladbrokes World Hurdle triumph following his emphatic victory in the Cheltenham & Three Counties Race Club Hurdle at Cheltenham yesterday.

NICKY HENDERSON’S three contenders for the StanJames.com Champion Hurdle will each have one more outing before that March 13 race.

Oscar Whisky is poised to try to spoil Big Bucks' bid for a fourth Ladbrokes World Hurdle triumph following his emphatic victory in the Cheltenham & Three Counties Race Club Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Nicky Henderson’s three contenders for the StanJames.com Champion Hurdle will each have one more outing before that March 13 race.

Henrietta Knight favours the Ryanair Chase over the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup as Somersby’s Festival target.

ALMOST 12 months have passed since Kauto Star’s dethroning by Long Run in the last William Hill King George VI Chase, but trainer Paul Nicholls believes Kempton racegoers will see a different horse on Monday.

KAUTO STAR and Long Run feature among just eight confirmations for the William Hill King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day.

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

NICKY HENDERSON has vowed to have Long Run primed to defend his crown in the William Hill King George VI Chase at Kempton on Stephen’s Day.

Master Minded bounced back from a shock defeat at Aintree to win the Amlin 1965 Chase at Ascot for the second year running.

MASTER Minded is favourite for today’s Amlin Chase at Ascot but, like stable companion Kauto Star, he has some questions to answer.

HENRIETTA KNIGHT is eyeing a third victory in the King George VI Chase at Kempton after seeing Somersby make a most impressive return to action at the Sunbury track yesterday.

LEADING jockey Paul Moloney voiced his displeasure at the penalties dished out for whip offences as the first cross-channel National Hunt meeting to take place under the new guidelines passed without serious incident at Huntingdon.

TERRY BIDDLECOMBE remains in hospital after suffering a stroke on Saturday, according to his wife, Henrietta Knight.

Henrietta Knight is looking forward to stepping her talented chaser Somersby over to staying distances this season.

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Albertas Run will face nine rivals as he attempts to pull off the Cheltenham-Aintree double for the second successive year in the John Smith’s Melling Chase.

VOY Por Ustedes is on course to bid for a third success in the John Smith’s Melling Chase on Friday week following his fine comeback effort at Cheltenham.

Dual winner Master Minded and last year’s hero Big Zeb are among a field of 11 for the sportingbet.com Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham on Wednesday.

Voy Por Ustedes is a fascinating supplementary entry for the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham on Thursday.

Somersby will definitely run in the sportingbet.com Queen Mother Champion Chase next Wednesday, rather than the Ryanair Chase a day later.