When Mick Fitzgerald was forced to retire, Nicky Henderson must have wondered if he would ever find a jockey with the style, the swagger and the ability to replace him.

Kauto Star is only “50-50” to make the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup after a fall when schooling last week, according to trainer Paul Nicholls.

Riverside Theatre made the perfect return to action as he landed back-to-back runnings of the Betfair Ascot Chase this afternoon.

Alan King feels it makes more sense for Medermit to run in the Betfair Ascot Chase tomorrow rather than take on Long Run at Newbury 24 hours earlier.

Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Long Run could face up to seven rivals in the rearranged Betfair Denman Chase at Newbury on Friday.

Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Long Run could face up to seven rivals in the rearranged Betfair Denman Chase at Newbury on Friday.

Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Long Run could face up to 10 rivals as he bids to get off the mark for the campaign in the Betfair Denman Chase at Newbury on Saturday.

HENRIETTA KNIGHT is leaving a decision on Somersby’s Cheltenham target until as late as possible because of the unpredictability of the British weather.

Henrietta Knight is leaving a decision on Somersby’s Cheltenham target until as late as possible because of the unpredictability of the British weather.

MEDERMIT is on course to have a prep run for Cheltenham in the Betfair Ascot Chase on February 18.

Quel Esprit and Havingotascoobydo were the most notable absentees at the final 48-hour declaration stage for the Spinal Research The Atlantic 4 Gold Cup at Cheltenham.

KAUTO STONE and Wishfull Thinking were among half a dozen defectors from the William Hill King George VI Chase at Kempton on Stephen’s Day.

MASTER Minded is favourite for today’s Amlin Chase at Ascot but, like stable companion Kauto Star, he has some questions to answer.

Alan King’s Grade One-winning chaser Medermit could make his seasonal reappearance in the Betfred Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter on November 1.

BOOKMAKERS were left singing the blues after a Ruby Tuesday with Ruby Walsh completing his comeback from a broken leg in style with a near 75-1 treble that saw punters on top after day one of Cheltenham.

CAPTAIN CHRIS justified trainer Philip Hobbs’ last-minute decision to run in the Irish Independent Arkle Trophy at Cheltenham by seeing off the free-going Finian’s Rainbow after the final fence.

THE Noel Meade-trained Realt Dubh is the sole Irish challenger in this afternoon’s Arkle Novices’ Chase.

Oscars Well, Bostons Angel and Roberto Goldback have all settled in well at Cheltenham which is a relief, as you’d hate to get this far and for something to go wrong.

MY road to the festival was the M5.

NIGEL TWISTON-DAVIES’ two big Cheltenham Festival hopes, Imperial Commander and Khyber Kim, are to work before racing at Kempton on Saturday.

ALAN KING still has the Cheltenham Festival in mind for Medermit and Karabak even though both horses were beaten at the Prestbury Park track on Saturday.

MEDERMIT’S ambitions of reaching the top of the novice chasing division suffered a major setback when the grey refused on his second start over fences at Huntingdon.

Selected tips from courses in the UK and Ireland.

FIVE-TIME Grade One winner Solwhit features among just four entries for the Dobbins & Madigans at Punchestown Hurdle on Sunday.

HURRICANE FLY, the medium of positive reports of late, can take the Grade 1 Rabobank Champion Hurdle at Punchestown this evening.

IF Solwhit strips at the peak of his powers then he can land the Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle at the first stage of the Cheltenham Festival this afternoon.

BARRY GERAGHTY believes Punjabi has been underestimated ahead of his bid for back-to-back victories in the Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle today.

I HEADED for Cheltenham on Sunday night and then had a relaxing enough day yesterday.

Nicky Henderson is fearful of the challenge posed by his former inmate Khyber Kim in the Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle – despite playing a three-strong hand tomorrow with Punjabi, Zaynar and Binocular.

NOEL Meade plans to give Go Native a post-racing workout at Leopardstown on Sunday week to crown his preparations for the Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham on March 16.

Noel Meade plans to give Go Native a post-racing workout at Leopardstown on Sunday week to crown his preparations for the Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham on March 16.

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

HURRICANE FLY, favourite for the williamhill.com Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham, has been ruled out of the Festival by Willie Mullins.