The fiercest military offensive on the Taliban since the conflict in Afghanistan began has so far gone “as well as it could have done”, British Army chiefs said today.

Melinda Messenger and husband Wayne Roberts have taken the unusual step of appearing in a photoshoot together to talk in depth about their trial separation.

Reigning title holder Sublimity and the mercurial Harchibald are very much still among the horses to beat in the Champion Hurdle come Cheltenham in March, according to Tony McCoy.

Al Eile lowered the colours of a few big guns with a deserved victory in the bewleyshotels.com December Festival Hurdle at Leopardstown.

Dual Grade One winner Jazz Messenger faces eight rivals when he steps up in trip to two and a half miles in the Giltspur Scientific Tara Hurdle at Navan on Sunday.

CHAMPION hurdler Sublimity heads a high-class entry of 14 for the Boylesports.com International Hurdle at Cheltenham on Saturday.

THE ACCBank Champion Hurdle at Punchestown on April 27 is shaping up to be one of the races of the season after Willie Mullins and Noel Meade threw their hats into the ring.

HARCHIBALD pleased trainer Noel Meade in a workout at Navan yesterday but a decision on whether he returns to action the the Red Mills Trial Hurdle at Gowran on Saturday will not be made until later in the week.

ASIAN MAZE, Harchibald, Hardy Eustace and Macs Joy could clash at Gowran Park on Saturday in a high-class renewal of the Red Mills Trial Hurdle.

Colm Murphy could not be happier with Brave Inca’s preparation for his defence of the AIG Europe Champion Hurdle at Punchestown tomorrow.

CHAMPION Hurdler Brave Inca will face a maximum of eight rivals in what looks a fascinating renewal of the AIG Europe Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown on Sunday.

Noel Meade has warned that his stable stars Iktitaf and Harchibald are unlikely to run in the AIG Europe Champion Hurdle on Sunday week if the going remains heavy at Leopardstown.

Desert Quest, as low as 10-1 for the Champion Hurdle in March, is set to carry top weight of 11st 12lb in the Greatwood Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham on Sunday week.

Straw Bear and Sweet Wake head 13 entries for the VC Bet Champion Novice Hurdle over two miles next Tuesday, the first day of the Punchestown Festival.

Jazz Messenger – a winner on Derby Day in 2003 for Gerard Butler – floored hot favourite No Where To Hyde in the Haydock Park & Newcastle Racecourses Hurdle at Navan.

Melinda Messenger has become a mother for the third time after giving birth to her first daughter.

Goldie and Les Dennis became the first celebrity contestants nominated for eviction from the Big Brother house.

Goldie and Les Dennis were the first celebrity contestants nominated for eviction from the Big Brother house tonight.