A trip to Newbury in the spring is on the agenda for Maggie Mathias after the consistent sort was rewarded for her efforts in the Mares Only “National Hunt” Novices’ Hurdle at Warwick.

No rider chases apparent lost causes with quite the steely determination of Tony McCoy and the champion jockey was at it again with his ride on Money Order at Newbury.

Baracouda heads a field of 22 in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle at Cheltenham on Thursday.

MARK PITMAN believes the abandonment of last Saturday’s Victor Chandler Chase could be a blessing in disguise for Dempsey.

The rescheduled HBLB Cleeve Hurdle at Sandown on Saturday has attracted a competitive field of 15 possible runners.

French raider Foreman was cut to 10-1 by totesport for the Irish Independent Arkle at the Cheltenham Festival after landing the intercasino.co.uk Novices’ Chase at Lingfield.

Iris’s Gift could attempt to get back to winning ways at Warwick on Saturday where he is entered in the Totepool ‘A Better Way To Bet’ Novices’ Chase.

Retired trainer Nick Gaselee was back in the winner’s enclosure after The Local proved a star turn at a wet and windy Wincanton.

The Local was the star of the show at a wet and windy Wincanton, running out an impressive winner of the Weatherbys Support The Injured Jockeys Fund Handicap Hurdle.

Timmy Murphy’s kid gloves were seen to the best possible effect at Leicester today when Spring Pursuit was delivered on the line to complete a double for the rider.

His Seven Barrows stable may be enduring a frustrating time at the moment but Nicky Henderson was given a welcome lift by Papini at Newbury today.

Penzance earned a 33-1 quote from Coral for the Triumph Hurdle after taking the notable scalp of Amarula Ridge in the Compare Prices At gg-odds.com Novices’ Hurdle at Taunton today.

Eric’s Charm is a more than useful performer on his day and he should be the star turn at tomorrow’s sole jumps meeting at Folkestone, where he bids for his first chasing success.

Few trainers have as formidable a record at the Cheltenham Festival as Nicky Henderson and the performance of Trabolgan at Newbury yesterday left the Lambourn trainer dreaming of further glory at Prestbury Park in March.

THERE are 44 entries in the £300,000 Smurfit Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham on March 11, including 12 trained in Ireland as well as two each from France and Germany.

A small but select field will line-up for the Victor Chandler Bula Hurdle after no further entries were received for the £75,000 event at Cheltenham on Saturday.