TOM TAAFFE’S Cane Brake heads the field for the Powers Whiskey Irish Grand National, meaning around half his rivals are set to run from out of the handicap at Fairyhouse on Monday.

Tom Taaffe's Cane Brake has been given the go-ahead to compete in Monday's Powers Whiskey Irish National at Fairyhouse.

NEW champion hurdler Sublimity is to be aimed at the Punchestown Champion Hurdle on April 27, trainer John Carr has revealed.

An assault on the Powers Whiskey Irish Grand National is the favoured option for Distant Thunder, provided he gets suitable underfoot conditions.

CHELTENHAM Gold Cup fifth Cane Brake has been allotted top-weight of 12st for the Powers Whiskey Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse on Easter Monday.

Ferdy Murphy is hoping Joes Edge makes the cut in the John Smith’s Grand National after getting up in the shadow of the post to win the William Hill Trophy Handicap Chase on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival.

Ferdy Murphy's Joes Edge caused a huge shock by winning the William Hill Trophy at 50-1 in a three-way photograph.

JOHN MURPHY has moved to reassure punters reigning Queen Mother Champion Chase winner Newmill’s entry in the Champion Hurdle is just a precaution.

Punjabi, who was an impressive winner at Kempton on Saturday, has been confirmed by trainer Nicky Henderson as an intended runner in the JCB Triumph Hurdle.

Hennessy Gold Cup winner State Of Play may head to the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup without another run.

Halcon Genelardais defied 11st 3lb to run out a gutsy winner of the Coral Welsh National for Alan King and Wayne Hutchinson.

Hennessy Gold Cup winner State Of Play has been handed top weight of 11st 12lb in the Coral Welsh National at Chepstow on December 27.

WITH ante-post favourite Star De Mohaison ruled out of Saturday’s Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup, all eyes will now be on Turpin Green.

CHRISTIAN WILLIAMS sees last year’s winner Hedgehunter as the main threat to his mount Royal Auclair - one of seven Paul Nicholls runners - in the John Smith’s Grand National on Saturday.

HEDGEHUNTER is a general 4-1 favourite with the English firms, although Irish bookmakers Cashmans and Paddy Power buck the trend with a 5-1 offer, to land back-to-back runnings of the John Smith’s Grand National after heading the list of 84 horses left in the Aintree spectacular at the five-day confirmation stage.

Ruby Walsh completed a 55-1 double on Dun Doire to lift the William Hill Trophy Handicap Chase

Nicky Henderson welcomed the rain that has maintained cut in the ground at Cheltenham as he put the finishing touches on a 24-strong team for next week’s Festival.

Trainer Ned Mitchell has one eye firmly focused on the John Smith’s Grand National next April after Garvivonnian proved his mettle over the Aintree fences in the totesport Becher Chase.

Trabolgan is now favourite for the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup with some bookmakers following continued heavy sport.

King Harald is as low as 7-1 favourite for the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup after weights for the November 26 feature were released.

Jack High, trained by Ted Walsh and ridden by Garrett Cotter, won the Betfred Gold Cup at Sandown Park this afternoon.

Cheltenham 4.40pm result