Ireland show jumping manager Robert Splaine underwent surgery for a broken wrist this week, but Taylor Vard, his stand in for tomorrow’s Furusiyya Series nations cup in Ocala, Florida, is upbeat about sending him a nice get-well present.

Al Ferof is to get an entry in the Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup after his valiant effort in defeat in the King George VI Chase at Kempton.

A run in the William Hill King George VI Chase at Kempton on St Stephen’s Day appears the most likely of two options for Coneygree should the Gold Cup winner appear over the Christmas period.

Leading owner John Hales is already dreaming of a potential Cheltenham Gold Cup tilt with Aux Ptits Soins after the French import starred in a treble for Paul Nicholls by landing the Coral Cup.

Gold Cup hero Lord Windermere is on course to have his final outing before the defence of his Cheltenham crown in Sunday’s Hennessy Gold Cup at Leopardstown, where he will face eight possible rivals.

Champion jockey Tony McCoy is in line for the spare ride on Coneygree in next weekend’s Betfair Denman Chase at Newbury as regular partner Nico de Boinville is suspended.

Jezki remains on course for another clash with great rival Hurricane Fly in the BHP Insurance Irish Champion Hurdle back at Leopardstown on January 25.

Al Ferof will head to the King George VI Chase after returning to his brilliant best when running away with the Amlin 1965 Chase for the second year in succession at Ascot on Saturday.

Long Run is to travel north of the border for the Ivan Straker Memorial Chase later this week as connections head to Kelso in search of better ground.

Paul Nicholls claimed his first William Hill King George VI Chase of the post-Kauto Star era as Silviniaco Conti hunted down Cue Card in the final stages of Kempton’s St Stephen’s feature.

Colin Tizzard believes Kempton will suit Cue Card down to the ground when his stable star attempts to justify favouritism in the William Hill King George VI Chase at Kempton on St Stephen’s Day.

A tilt at the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown on December 28 is “looking likely” for Unioniste.

Trainer Paul Nicholls was last evening dealt a huge double injury blow by the news Big Buck’s and Al Ferof are set to miss the rest of the season.

Kauto Star may be nicely tucked up in his box enjoying retirement, but Paul Nicholls could still have an embarrassment of riches come Boxing Day at Kempton.

Giles Cross may be odds-against to turn up in the Grand National itself but he left his connections thrilled after claiming a deserved big-race victory in the Betfred Grand National Trial at Haydock.

David Pipe feels ante-post favourite Junior has “enough weight” in the John Smith’s Grand National at Aintree on April 14.

PAUL NICHOLLS has announced Noland as his replacement for Denman in the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas.

Paul Nicholls has announced Noland as his replacement for Denman in the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas.

RUBY WALSH washed away more than four months of misery when driving Al Ferof to victory in the first race of the festival, the Stan James Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.

Ruby Walsh may have endured a nightmare season so far but the clouds lifted as he enjoyed a dream start to the 2011 Cheltenham Festival this afternoon.

What A Friend suffered an unexpected defeat at the hands of his stable companion Noland in the Aon Chase at Newbury today.

NOLAND may be retired if he puts in a second successive poor performance in the Aon Chase at Newbury today.

Neptune Collonges earned himself the right to at least another supporting role in the Gold Cup after the often-discounted grey returned to the winner’s enclosure for the first time in nearly two years in the Argento Chase at Cheltenham.

NIGEL Twiston-Davies is keeping his fingers crossed Grand Slam Hero makes the cut for the www.thetote.com Galway Plate following his gallant victory at Market Rasen on Saturday.

LOOKING at the Champion Hurdle at Punchestown today the first thing which strikes me is from where is the pace going to come.

IT’S Grand National Day again and last year proved, with a 100-1 winner, that the National is the National whatever way you look at it. You can take form, ground, jockeys, trainers and whatever else you like but, at the end of the day, it’s the National and anything can win it.

I haven’t been eating a whole lot over the past day or two, with Fistral Beach set to carry just 10-0 in the Racing Post Chase at Kempton this afternoon.

Neptune Collonges will be out of action for a year after he was thought to have suffered an injury in the totesport Gold Cup at the Cheltenham Festival.

Christian Williams believes I’msingingtheblues has been overlooked in the betting for the Irish Independent Arkle Trophy.

Alan King can hope for continued support from powerful owner John Hales after coaxing a first career win from Cracboumwiz at Newbury.

Zaynar showed the market whispers to be right on the mark at Newbury as an emphatic jumping debut moved the grey to clear favourite in the JCB Triumph Hurdle.

YOU would like to think that those who tried to make Sam Thomas’ life a misery over the last couple of weeks were hanging their heads in shame after Noland had won the John Durkan Memorial Chase at Punchestown on Tuesday.

It will come as a surprise if Mount Cook does not go on to better things following his smooth success in the Morgan Ashurst Novices’ Handicap Chase at Taunton.

Thundering Star, easily the most high-profile horse on view at the meeting, provided Paul Nicholls with a good omen for The Open this weekend when landing the Morgan Ashurst Novices’ Hurdle at Taunton.

Neptune Collonges is set to take the place of Denman in the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown over the Christmas period.

Champion Hurdler Katchit had to settle for second behind Snap Tie on his return to action in the WBX.COM Hurdle at Kempton.

CHAMPION trainer Paul Nicholls is full of confidence ahead of Noland’s assault on the Irish Independent Arkle Trophy at Cheltenham this afternoon.

Nodforms Paula created a fair impression when running out an easy winner of the State Rox Off Novices' Hurdle at Doncaster.

Nodforms Paula created a fair impression when running out an easy winner of the State Rox Off Novices’ Hurdle at Doncaster.

ARKLE Trophy favourite Noland completed his preparation in satisfactory style at Sandown yesterday, with trainer Paul Nicholls reporting the gelding to be not fully tuned up for the occasion.

ARKLE Trophy favourite Noland completed his preparation in satisfactory style at Sandown yesterday, with trainer Paul Nicholls reporting the gelding to be not fully tuned up for the occasion.

Arkle Trophy favourite Noland completed his preparation in satisfactory style at Sandown, with trainer Paul Nicholls reporting the gelding to be not fully tuned up for the occasion.

Noland emerged from almost two years on the sidelines to make a perfect start to his career over fences in the Folkestone Beginners' Chase at the Kent track today.

Neptune Collonges, the youngest horse in the race, capped an extraordinary campaign for Paul Nicholls and Ruby Walsh when outstaying his rivals to take the Guinness Gold Cup at Punchestown yesterday.