Liberthine gave Nicky Henderson his third winner of the meeting when causing a 25-1 upset in the Mildmay Of Flete Handicap Chase at Cheltenham today.

Lenny Lungo reports his exciting prospect Villon to be firmly on course for a trip to the Cheltenham Festival.

Former leading jockey Adrian Maguire looks likely to saddle his first runner under rules at Killarney this Sunday.

Paddy The Piper extended his winning sequence to five in brave fashion in the Grade Two Tote Exacta Premier Kelso Hurdle at Kelso yesterday, but he will be giving the Cheltenham Festival a miss.

CORAL Welsh National third Hedgehunter is set to return to Britain for his next outing, according to trainer Willie Mullins.

LILIUM DE COTTE, fourth in the Triumph Hurdle last term, made an impressive debut for owner JP McManus and trainer Nicky Henderson at Uttoxeter yesterday.

Lenny Lungo’s stable faces a virtual shutdown for the next fortnight after a viral problem struck the yard, it emerged today.

Lenny Lungo has put plans for The Bajan Bandit on hold after the gelding was found to have a nasal discharge following his below-par effort in the Weatherbys Towton Novices’ Chase at Wetherby yesterday and he is keeping a close watch on the rest of his team.

Andrew Parker gained the biggest success of his three-year training career when Hugo De Grez put up a game staying performance under Brian Storey to win the £20,000 (€31,300) Tote Placepot Champion Chase at Kelso.

Champion Kieren Fallon had to wait until the concluding Saiffe Joseph & Sons Handicap for a success on the Lenny Lungo-trained Magic Combination at Newcastle today to maintain the status quo with Richard Hughes, who had earlier been successful on Parkland, in the jockeys’ championship.

Tim Reed enjoyed a fairytale ending to his riding career when Kerry Lads ran out a convincing winner of the Hadrians Wall Novices' Chase at Carlisle.

Direct Access set out on the long road that could lead to Cheltenham next March with a pleasing debut over fences under Tony Dobbin.