RUBY WALSH rode his first winner since joining the married mens' brigade with a typical copybook drive on Tony Martin's Ichi Beau, 9-2 to 7-2, in the Londis Handicap Chase at Killarney last night.

Hussard Collonges has been a "nearly" horse this season but that could all change in the big one a week on Thursday.

Hussard Collonges, who sidestepped a trip to Ireland on Sunday, will not have another outing before the Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup but will make a couple of racecourse visits as part of his Festival build up.

Hussard Collonges, who sidestepped a trip to Ireland today, will not have another outing before the Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup but will make a couple of racecourse visits as part of his Festival build up.

Next month is an exciting one for jumping fans and the main pretender to Best Mate’s Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup crown is likely to emerge after a showdown at Leopardstown on February 9.

Hussard Collonges can cement his position as a leading contender for top chasing honours this season with victory in next month’s Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Leopardstown.

Hopefully the weather will relent sufficiently for Haydock Park to stage the Betdirect Peter Marsh Chase next Saturday, a three-mile event which often supplies a high-class winner and has in the past proved a good trial for the top prizes later in the season.

Peter Beaumont is dreaming of training a second winner of the Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup after Hussard Collonges sprung a 33-1 surprise in the £125,000 Royal & SunAlliance Chase.

Florida Pearl will bid for an historic fourth successive win in the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup as racing finally resumes at Leopardstown tomorrow.