Arch rivals Martin Pipe and Paul Nicholls dominated the finish of the Vodafone Gold Cup at Newbury in what could well be a portent of what is to come at Cheltenham as Horus dead-heated with Cornish Sett.

Top trainers Paul Nicholls and Martin Pipe shared the spoils in the feature Vodafone Gold Cup Handicap Chase in Newbury today.

A superbly maintained 2,300-year-old mummy bearing a golden mask and covered in brightly coloured images of gods and goddesses has been unveiled at Egypt’s Saqqara Pyramids complex south of Cairo.

Venn Ottery, who holds lofty entries at Cheltenham and Aintree, could have his first run for Martin Pipe at Newbury on Saturday.

JOCKEY CLUB officials were none-the-wiser yesterday as to whether champion trainer Martin Pipe will attend a scheduled hearing tomorrow over his refusal to allow a horse to be dope-tested at Haydock last week.

TOM TAAFFE is leaning towards running his exciting Kicking King in the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup rather than the inaugural Daily Telegraph Chase at the Festival next month.

SUE SMITH is making a three-pronged assault on the Sky Bet Chase today in a bid to keep the Doncaster prize in Yorkshire.

Jonjo O’Neill is set to pitch Keen Leader in against triple Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Best Mate at Leopardstown.

Cheltenham Gold Cup runner-up Sir Rembrandt will face six rivals in tomorrow’s Tommy Whittle Chase as he continues his build-up to another crack at chasing’s blue riband event next March.

LAST YEAR’S winner Keen Leader heads the 13 entries for the £60,000 Tommy Whittle Chase at Haydock Park this weekend.

JONJO O’NEILL has ruled Ladbrokes World Hurdle second-favourite Rhinestone Cowboy out for the remainder of the season.

TONY DOBBIN is the new partner for Truckers Tavern in both this weekend’s Pillar Property Chase and the Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup in March.

FRENCH raider Jair Du Cochet heads a cast of 11 who have been entered for Saturday’s Grade Two Pillar Property Chase at Cheltenham.

AZERTYUIOP, second to Moscow Flyer in the William Hill Tingle Creek Trophy at Sandown in December, faces a tough task giving weight all round in Saturday’s Victor Chandler Chase at Ascot.

Venetia Williams’ Thesis earned top marks when the 33-1 chance stayed on best in the mud to take the Ladbroke Hurdle at Ascot today.

“Faugh-A-Ballagh”

CYFOR MALTA is a best-priced 12-1 with the sponsors and Cashmans for the Paddy Power Gold Cup on Saturday in his bid to land the Cheltenham showpiece for a third time.

Dual winner Cyfor Malta heads a team of four left in the Paddy Power Gold Cup by Martin Pipe at today’s confirmation stage as he attempts to land the Cheltenham showpiece for the fourth successive year.

Leading Irish owner J P McManus is set to be doubly represented in the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham next week.

It Takes Time and Poliantas have been installed 6-1 joint-favourites by the sponsors for the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham.

RUBY WALSH, enjoying a splendid season at home and across channel, has real prospecs of landing a double aboard Ross Moff and Azur Tonic at Clonmel this afternoon.

By "Faugh-A-Ballagh" BRAMBLEHILL DUKE can gain revenge on Horus in the Racecourse Of The Year Handicap Chase at Cheltenham today.

Martin Pipe will leave his Ladbroke Hurdle running plans as late as possible.

Martin Pipe will leave his Ladbroke Hurdle running plans as late as possible, the champion trainer said today.

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.

Tony McCoy gave another example of why he is in a class of his own by giving Upgrade a brilliant ride to win the KJ Pike & Sons Racing In Wessex Chase at Wincanton.