Nicky Henderson has expressed his intention to aim Isio at the Pertemps King George VI Chase at Kempton Park on Boxing Day in what would be a first attempt at three miles for the much improved gelding.

Moscow Flyer got his season back on an even keel with victory in the Martell Cognac Melling Chase at Aintree today.

Moscow Flyer will face six rivals when he bids to get his season back on track in the Martell Cognac Melling Chase at Aintree on Friday.

Paul Nicholls is convinced that Azertyuiop has a good chance of upsetting last year’s winner Moscow Flyer in the Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham tomorrow.

RUBY WALSH yesterday expressed confidence that Azertyuiop will give Moscow Flyer a real battle in the Champion ’Chase at Cheltenham next week.

A record number of entries have been made for the Weatherbys Champion Bumper at the Cheltenham Festival next week.

Nicky Henderson’s amazing run of Saturday specials shows no sign of ending after Isio struck under Barry Geraghty to take the inaugural running of the £100,000 (€148,600) Vodafone Gold Cup at Newbury yesterday.

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

Reigning champions Best Mate, Rooster Booster, Moscow Flyer and Baracouda were declared to go forward to defend their Cheltenham Festival titles following yesterday’s forfeit stage for the nine championship races.

BRAVE INCA, one of Ireland’s big hopes for the Cheltenham Festival, may not run before then according to trainer Colm Murphy.

NATIVE SCOUT, fourth behind Isio and Azertyuiop in the recent Victor Chandler Chase at Ascot, returned to winning form when justifying favouritism in the Grade 3 Byrne Group Plc Tied Cottage Chase at Punchestown yesterday.

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.

PAUL NICHOLLS is making a very strong bid to land the jump trainers’ championship for the first time and Kadarann did his bit for the cause when landing the £50,000 skybetvegas.com Castleford Chase at Wetherby yesterday.

HENRIETTA KNIGHT has reported Best Mate “60 per cent likely” to go for the Pertemps King George VI Chase at Kempton on St Stephen's Day.

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

Azertyuiop produced a breathtaking display to win the Irish Independent Arkle Challenge Trophy.

CHARLIE SWAN has been booked to partner Liss A Paoraigh in the Bonusprint Stayers’ Hurdle at Cheltenham on Thursday.

A total of 47 horses have been entered for the Irish Independent Arkle Challenge Trophy at the Cheltenham Festival.

PROPER SQUIRE, sharpened up by a recent outing at Market Rasen, looks a good bet to regain the winning thread in the Tote Trifecta Handicap Hurdle at Kempton Park today.