If getting a few quid backing Quel Esprit in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Leopardstown last Sunday then how good a race it actually was will not, understandably, have been of the slightest importance to you.

Last Instalment maintained his unbeaten record over fences with a taking all-the-way success in the Dr. P.J. Moriarty Novice Chase at Leopardstown.

THE defections of Synchronised and Quito De La Roque have greatly enhanced my prospects of winning the Hennessy Gold Cup on Quel Esprit at Leopardstown tomorrow.

Exciting novices Sprinter Sacre and Cue Card are the star names among eight entries for the Betfair Super Saturday Chase at Newbury.

BIG BUCK’S at Cheltenham today and Hurricae Fly at Leopardstown tomorrow ensure that this is going to be far from an ordinary weekend for me.

This weekend is all about the return of Hurricane Fly, who will attempt to tighten his grip on the Champion Hurdle market in the BHP Insurance-sponsored Irish version at Leopardstown tomorrow.

ONE of the real success stories, of what so far has been an outstanding National Hunt season, is jockey Andrew Lynch.

Monksland is a best-priced 25/1 for Cheltenham’s Neptune Investments Novice Hurdle following a fluent victory over Lyreen Legend and Dedigout in the Grade 2 Slaney Novice Hurdle in Naas yesterday.

Noel Meade’s Monksland booked his ticket to the Cheltenham Festival with a runaway victory in the Slaney Novice Hurdle at Naas.

THE feature at Sandown this afternoon is the Tolworth Hurdle and I ride Prospect Wells in what is a tricky little contest, even if there are only five runners.

Denman appeared among 17 contenders for the Lexus Chase as the entries for the major races at the Leopardstown Christmas Festival were published.

IT’S difficult enough to look beyond Kauto Star in what is a weakly contested Grade 1 Guinness Gold Cup at Punchestown today.

I WILL be most disappointed should Kauto Star fail to deliver in the Guinness Gold Cup at Punchestown this evening.

TRAINING honours on the final day of a successful Fairyhouse Easter Festival (crowds were up 20% over the three days) yesterday went to Willie Mullins, who completed a double in graded hurdles with Twinlight and Lambro.

Benefit Night set himself up for a crack at the Midlands Grand National with a pillar-to-post success in the Lucan Racing Leinster National at Naas.

THERE was no fairytale return for me at Newbury yesterday when Don’t Turn Bach finished well behind in a handicap hurdle.

WILLIE MULLINS’ Lambro can land the nap in the Cashel Maiden Hurdle at Thurles this afternoon.

GOOD Time Donie can cheer up punters no end by landing the William Hill EBF Maiden Hurdle at Downpatrick today.