Maoi Chinn Tire created the biggest shock of the fledgling National Hunt season to date by landing the Weatherbys Bank Wensleydale Juvenile at Hurdle at Wetherby at a staggering 200-1.

Ruby Walsh is to miss the ride on John Smith’s Grand National favourite Big Fella Thanks after a crunching fall in the Grade One hurdle earlier on the card.

Sam Thomas was this morning airlifted to hospital after suffering a bad fall on the gallops at Paul Nicholls' yard.

Garnica has been declared a non-runner for this afternoon's William Hill (Ayr) Gold Cup.

Kauto Star has run his final race of the campaign after reclaiming his totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup crown, but trainer Paul Nicholls has raised the tantalising possibility of him tackling the blue riband for another three years.

Owner Andy Stewart has heaped praise on champion trainer Paul Nicholls after he masterminded the plan to switch Big Buck’s back to hurdles.

Big Fella Thanks, carrying the famous colours of Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Denman, chose the valuable Sky Bet Chase at Doncaster to open his account over fences.

Aintree winner Elusive Dream found very little difficulty in adding to his haul at Cheltenham this evening.

Noland emerged from almost two years on the sidelines to make a perfect start to his career over fences in the Folkestone Beginners' Chase at the Kent track today.

A dream weekend for Sam Thomas hit new heights as Mr Pointment made virtually all to score over the famous Grand National fences in the totesport.com Becher Chase at Aintree.

Hardy Eustace landed his second successive Coral Ascot Hurdle with a typically gutsy display that strongly suggests Father Time has yet to master the dual Champion Hurdle winner.

MONET'S GARDEN, a horse who jumps for fun, is the nap choice to land the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham this afternoon.

Sam Thomas has been appointed second jockey to Ruby Walsh at Paul Nicholls' Ditcheat yard.

Well Chief overturned Nicholls' Azertyuiop in the Betfred Celebration Chase.

EMMA LAVELLE believes handicap debutant Self Defense has a realistic chance of upstaging Rooster Booster in the Tote Gold Trophy at Newbury on Saturday.

PAUL NICHOLLS was left puzzling over the enigma that is Cenkos after the 7-1 chance had surprised everyone to score on his first run since May at Cheltenham yesterday.

RICHARD HILLS will miss the first two Classic races of the season and the major meetings at Chester, York and Goodwood after picking up a 21-day suspension at Newcastle yesterday.

PAUL NICHOLLS is known for being focused, so it was no surprise that after he had recorded a best seasonal haul and a treble at Cheltenham yesterday that he should be contemplating further quests.

Timmy Murphy has landed the plum job as stable jockey to top trainer Paul Nicholls three years after leaving his yard.