Zarkandar attempts to boost his strong claims for the Stan James Champion Hurdle when he lines up at Wincanton today.

Barry Geraghty once again stole the show at Kempton as he followed a remarkable recovery on Tetlami by sweeping up the feature William Hill Lanzarote Hurdle aboard his Nicky Henderson-trained stablemate Oscara Dara.

Jezki, unbeaten over hurdles and favourite for the William Hill Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, is, reportedly, to be bought by JP McManus.

Big Buck’s remains out on his own, so far ahead of his stayers’ hurdling opponents it is highly unlikely he will ever be beaten.

Dermot Weld’s sole Festival success came in the Triumph Hurdle in 1990 with Rare Holiday, but the Master of Rosewell House played down the win claims of his runner Hisaabaat, who won the Grade 1 Spring Juvenile Hurdle at Leopardstown, in today’s renewal.

Hurdle marker in the International Hurdle at Cheltenham and although he's just a four-year-old with plenty of scope for improvement, one senses that this afternoon's race will define the horse’s hurdling ambitions for the remainder of his career.

THREE years ago Sizing Europe started favourite for the Champion Hurdle and looked all over a winner going down to the second last.

Menorah and Hurricane Fly share favouritism with the sponsors for the Stan James Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham on Tuesday following the shock absence of Binocular.

Menorah heads a field of 11 in the shock absence of Binocular in Tuesday’s Stan James Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Steve Gollings has put a line through Local Hero’s run at Haydock last weekend and he remains in the mix for the JCB Triumph Hurdle.

Paul Nicholls called time on Celestial Halo’s novice chasing adventure after the top-class hurdler again proved a disappointment over fences at Newbury.

Tim Vaughan is already charting a route towards the Cheltenham Festival with impressive Market Rasen winner Architrave.

Alan King expects to be double handed in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle in March with both Karabak and Katchit being aimed at the race.

Tidal Bay and Howard Johnson returned like ghosts from Cheltenham past to plunder the Betfair Cleeve Hurdle.

LAST YEAR’S winner Big Buck’s features among 35 entries for the Ladbrokes World Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March.

Last year’s winner Big Buck’s features among 35 entries for the Ladbrokes World Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March.

WHAT could prove a significant piece in Tony McCoy’s John Smith’s Grand National jigsaw emerged at Cheltenham yesterday as the champion jockey piloted Can’t Buy Time to success in the victorchandler.com Handicap Chase.

QUINOLA Des Obeaux is the nap choice to land the Kilberry Novice Hurdle at Navan this afternoon.

An informative renewal of the BGC Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot on December 19 is in store, with a potential cast headed by Big Buck’s.

CHAMPION HURDLE winner Punjabi heads 25 entries for the WBX.COM Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle on November 28 as he bids to repeat last year’s victory.

Champion Hurdle winner Punjabi heads 25 entries for the WBX.COM Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle on November 28 as he bids to repeat last year’s victory.

Al Eile will try to emulate Morley Street when he bids to win the John Smith’s Aintree Hurdle for a fourth time on Saturday.

All eyes will this afternoon be on Tony McCoy and red-hot favourite Binocular when the tapes go up for the Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival.

Binocular could be part of the largest field for the Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle in 18 years with Nicky Henderson’s hot favourite one of 24 horses declared for Tuesday’s main event.

Binocular could be part of the largest field for the Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle in 18 years with Nicky Henderson’s hot favourite one of 24 horses declared for Tuesday’s main event.

Alan King donned his wellington boots on Sunday morning to walk the track at Cheltenham and was pleased with the ground conditions.

ANDREW McNamara is poised to claim the ride aboard Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle second favourite Osana after putting the 2008 runner-up through his paces at David Pipe’s yard earlier this week.

SNAP TIE bids to continue his climb up the ladder when he tackles the Blue Square Champion Hurdle Trial at Haydock today.

THE last four winners of the Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle could reoppose at the Cheltenham Festival as Hardy Eustace, Brave Inca, Sublimity and Katchit are among 34 possibles for this year’s renewal.

The last four winners of the Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle could reoppose at the Cheltenham Festival as Hardy Eustace, Brave Inca, Sublimity and Katchit are among 34 possibles for this year’s renewal

OKAY, the dust has settled and all the Christmas racing and early New Year stuff is now firmly behind us - so what have we learned?

Katchit, the reigning Champion Hurdler, is to be given a month’s break away from Alan King’s Barbury Castle base in a bid to reinvigorate him before his title defence at Cheltenham in March.

Binocular pulverised his four rivals with a display of extreme class in the Boylesports.com International at Ascot.

Binocular is sure to be a warm order for the Champion Hurdle in March after an effortless victory in the rearranged Boylesports.com International Hurdle at Ascot.

Agreement has been reached to reschedule the Boylesports.com International at Ascot on Saturday.

A decision is expected tomorrow on the re-scheduling of the Boylesports.com International Hurdle.

The British Horseracing Authority are likely to decide on Monday whether to reschedule any of the races lost after Cheltenham’s high-profile meeting was abandoned due to waterlogging on Saturday.

EXACTLY four weeks after Pride Of Dulcote sent me spinning to the turf at Cheltenham, I return to Prestbury Park this afternoon and the hope, obviously, is to get out of the place in one piece.

Nicky Henderson is confident the two-mile-three-furlong trip of the Coral Ascot Hurdle at Ascot on Saturday will suit Chomba Womba.

Eoin Griffin’s mare Lounaos has been retired to the paddocks after a disappointing run at Cork

Hugh Collingridge expects Group Captain to give a good account of himself in the £2 Million totescoop6 November Handicap on Saturday.

Snap Tie has been handed top weight for the Greatwood Hurdle at Cheltenham on Sunday week following his impressive seasonal bow.

TIDAL BAY could prove to be the one that got away for Paul Nicholls, but the British champion trainer reckons the rising star will have to make a significant jump up the ladder if he is to trouble Master Minded or Kauto Star in the near future.

Champion Hurdle hero Katchit is set for a surprise outing at Wincanton this weekend after being given an entry in the totescoop6 Elite Hurdle on Saturday.