The rescheduled Blue Square Kingmaker Novices’ Chase at Wincanton on Saturday has received 14 entries, headed by the Alan King-trained Voy Por Ustedes.

MARK PITMAN believes the abandonment of last Saturday’s Victor Chandler Chase could be a blessing in disguise for Dempsey.

Paul Nicholls’ Albuhera and Mark Pitman’s Dempsey have been installed as 5-1 joint-favourites with the sponsors for the rearranged Victor Chandler Chase at Sandown on Saturday.

French raider Foreman was cut to 10-1 by totesport for the Irish Independent Arkle at the Cheltenham Festival after landing the intercasino.co.uk Novices’ Chase at Lingfield.

Chelsea Bridge, who claimed Trabolgan’s scalp on his only racecourse appearance nearly three years ago, is nearing a return to the racecourse, according to trainer Henrietta Knight.

Mark Pitman is aiming Hennessy for a possible tilt at the Champion Bumper at the Cheltenham Festival.

Trainer Mark Pitman revealed Queen Mother Champion Chase entry Dempsey is on course for a crack at the Victor Chandler Chase at Cheltenham on January 28.

Reigning champion Moscow Flyer heads 29 entries for the 2006 Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival on March 15.

Albuhera is to form an important part of Paul Nicholls’ Christmas operation following his decisive success over Copsale Lad in the Dubai Duty Free Fulke Walwyn Novices’ Chase at Newbury.

Carl Llewellyn has announced that he is to become assistant trainer and jockey to Mark Pitman.

TIMMY MURPHY is hoping to return to the saddle at Newton Abbot tomorrow, less than two months after breaking his right arm in a fall at Punchestown.

Timmy Murphy is hoping to return to the saddle at Newton Abbot on Tuesday, less than two months after breaking his right arm in a fall at Punchestown.

Smarty, runner-up in the 2001 Grand National, has been retired, his trainer Mark Pitman announced today.

A decision on whether or not to retire 2001 Grand National runner-up Smarty is likely to be made next week.

CONNECTIONS of Philson Run are looking to Seamus Durack to produce their charge as late as possible in the Gala Casinos Daily Record Scottish Grand National at Ayr tomorrow.

Timmy Murphy’s kid gloves were seen to the best possible effect at Leicester today when Spring Pursuit was delivered on the line to complete a double for the rider.

SUE SMITH is making a three-pronged assault on the Sky Bet Chase today in a bid to keep the Doncaster prize in Yorkshire.

TRAINER Tom Taaffe reports Kicking King to be “100 per cent” ahead of his big test in the Stan James King George VI Chase on St Stephen’s Day.

EDREDON BLEU is likely to bid for a repeat win in the Stan James King George VI Chase at Kempton on Sunday with stable companion Best Mate swerving the race despite being left in at yesterday’s five-day declaration stage.

RICHARD JOHNSON came in for a double on Polar Scout and Versus at Folkestone yesterday when fellow jockey Noel Fehily failed to pass the course doctor.

Richard Johnson came in for a double on Polar Scout and Versus at Folkestone today when fellow jockey Noel Fehily failed to pass the course doctor.

EDREDON BLEU, who dominated the Peterborough Chase for four years from 1998 to 2001, heads the entries for this year’s contest in the likely absence of stablemates Best Mate and Impek.

AZERTYUIOP bids to put his first-fence exit in last year’s William Hill Haldon Gold Cup behind him when he lines up for the Grade Two race at Exeter today.

Andrewjames, formerly trained in England by Paul Nicholls and Mark Pitman, sprang a 33-1 surprise in the Kildare Hunt Club Chase over the banks course at the Punchestown Festival opened today.

Martin Pipe gained another significant success to stretch his lead in the trainers’ championship when Seebald landed the Faucetts For Mira Showers Silver Trophy at Cheltenham today.

Hot Shots will have the services of Jim Culloty once again in the Victor Chandler Chase at Ascot on Saturday.

AZERTYUIOP, second to Moscow Flyer in the William Hill Tingle Creek Trophy at Sandown in December, faces a tough task giving weight all round in Saturday’s Victor Chandler Chase at Ascot.

A total of 14 horses remain in the Victor Chandler Chase at Ascot on Saturday following today’s confirmation stage.

Mick Fitzgerald gained sweet revenge over the final fence at Newbury today when Mighty Strong laid the ghost of a horrible fall 12 months ago in the Lane Fox Chase.

It was a case of “mission accomplished” at Folkestone today as two of Paul Nicholls’ most promising performers landed convincing victories.

PHILIP HOBBS’ two possible contenders for the Smurfit Champion Hurdle - Rooster Booster and In Contrast - are set to clash at Cheltenham on Sunday.

Timmy Murphy did not quite make the winner’s enclosure on his return to race-riding at Wetherby today following a spell in prison, but he was delighted to be back and is determined to take his place again among the country’s leading jump jockeys.

Mark Pitman is hoping to uphold the family tradition in Saturday’s Martell Grand National.

Red Marauder and Paddy’s Return, last year’s hero and villain, have both been confirmed as absentees from the Martell Grand National.

Mark Pitman was delighted with the effort of Smarty at Ascot as his preparations for the Martell Grand National gather pace.

Trainer Mark Pitman is likely to take an unorthodox route in preparing Aintree Grand National hopeful Smarty for the big race.

Tom Scudamore is set to ride leading Grand National fancy Smarty for Mark Pitman, in this year's renewal.

Options are open for Nick Dundee after the Irish chaser was taken out of an intended engagement at the weekend.