Any day you have a winner at Cheltenham is a good day and I was more than happy with Faugheen’s victory in the first.

Connections of Oscar Whisky are convinced his Cheltenham nous could be a defining factor in the JLT Novices’ Chase on Thursday.

Leading owner Andy Stewart has welcomed the news Annie Power will take on Big Buck’s in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Nicky Henderson has pinpointed Silviniaco Conti and Last Instalment as dangers to Bobs Worth when his star bids to retain his Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup crown next month.

Oscar Whisky strengthened his claims for what will probably be a tilt at the Jewson Novices’ Chase at the Festival with a clear-cut defeat of Taquin Du Seuil in the Cheltenham Pony Club Raceday Novices’ Chase yesterday.

Paul Nicholls had started to doubt the desire of Zarkandar but the application of blinkers and a step up in trip showed the six-year-old in a vastly different light as he thwarted The New One in what looked a top-quality John Smith’s Aintree Hurdle.

The application of blinkers and the step up in trip had the desired effect as Zarkandar returned to winning form in the John Smith’s Aintree Hurdle.

At a stage in life when most people have long since summoned the pipe and slippers, Jim Bolger is showing absolutely no signs of slowing down.

Owner Dai Walters has confirmed Oscar Whisky remains on course to bid for a hat-trick in the John Smith’s Aintree Hurdle on Thursday week.

Fourteen successes for Ireland at the Cheltenham festival but the real winners — at least going forward — were surely Punchestown.

Solwhit (right) on his way to winning the Ladbrokes World Hurdle ahead of Celestial Halo at Cheltenham yesterday.

Solwhit, trained by Charles Byrnes and ridden by Paul Carberry, won the Ladbrokes World Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

The ground is continuing to dry and I am delighted with that for both Jetson and Bostons Angel.

Oscar Whisky gets the nap to land the Grade 1 Ladbrokes’ World Hurdle at Cheltenham this afternoon.

It was another day soundtracked by Irish celebrations at the Cheltenham Festival in the Cotswolds yesterday but one coveted title was wrested back from the raiders by the natives.

Trainer Nick Williams believes Thursday’s Ladbrokes World Hurdle is far from a two-horse race.

Last Tuesday you had to wonder whether Hurricane Fly continued to be blessed with four legs.

On His Own consolidated his position as favourite for the John Smiths Grand National at Aintree when proving a shock winner of the Grade 2 Ladbrokes.

Nicky Henderson feels he has not spotted an exceptional rival from another stable to prevent him from lifting the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup once again.

Trainer Mick Winters is keeping his options open regarding whether to let Rebel Fitz line up in next month’s Stan James Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Barry Geraghty believes Oscar Whisky was not at his best in the Cleeve Hurdle on Saturday, despite him proving his stamina over three miles.

A record crowd of 18,208 turned up for Trials Day at Cheltenham on Saturday and were treated to a spectacular afternoon’s action, led by Sprinter Sacre in the Victor Chandler Chase.

A week ago I said here that the only way Sanctuaire could beat Sprinter Sacre in the Victor Chandler at Ascot, which was postponed and subsequently rescheduled to Cheltenham this afternoon, was if Nicky Henderson’s headman forgot to load their horse into the box.

Trainer Paul Nicholls has confirmed that Ruby Walsh will now ride Kauto Stone in the William Hill King George VI Chase at Kempton on St Stephen’s Day.

Paul Nicholls once again dominated proceedings at Cheltenham with a glorious four-timer.

Gordon Elliott’s exciting prospect Don Cossack will take his next step in a fascinating Navan Novice Hurdle on Sunday.

After Willie Mullins’ Zaidpour had landed the Grade 1 Hatton’s Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse last Sunday, everyone wanted to know what the Cheltenham target for the six-year-old would be.

Ross Geraghty has been crowned champion jump jockey in America in just his third season there.

Owner Dai Walters has confirmed Oscar Whisky will remain over hurdles this season instead of embarking on a career over fences.

Big Buck’s remains out on his own, so far ahead of his stayers’ hurdling opponents it is highly unlikely he will ever be beaten.

Punchestown continues its battle with the elements this evening, housing a five-race card headed by the Rabobank Champion Hurdle, if the course passes an 8am inspection.

Mouse Morris believes the ground is more of a concern than the trip for First Lieutenant in today’s Ryanair Novice Chase at Punchestown.

Oscar Whisky defended his crown in a thrilling finish to the John Smith's Aintree Hurdle this afternoon.

Owner Dai Walters is hoping Oscar Whisky will be seen in his true light when he returns to the scene of his greatest success at Aintree on Saturday.

Just like 39 of my colleagues, I am very much looking forward to the Grand National at Aintree today.

Oscar Whisky and Thousand Stars, who fought out the finish to the John Smith’s Aintree Hurdle last year, do battle again over two and a half miles on Saturday.

Tony McCoy will ride Burton Port in the Grade 1 Betfred Bowl at Aintree tomorrow, with Barry Geraghty sticking with Ryanair Chase winner Riverside Theatre.

Big Buck’s will face seven rivals in the BGC Liverpool Hurdle at Aintree on Thursday as he goes in search of an incredible 17th win in a row.

The dust had hardly settled on Cheltenham before Rod Street, chief executive of Racing For Change, reopened the debate on whether the festival should start on a Wednesday and finish on a Saturday.

OILILY, confidently handled by Davy Russell, streaked away with the www.racinghomeforeaster.com Hurdle at Cork yesterday.

Another brilliant festival has flown by and the last day is upon us.

Big Buck’s made Ladbrokes World Hurdle history with a thrilling fourth successive victory in the stayers’ championship at Cheltenham.

Ladbrokes World Hurdle preview

THE big question to be answered at Cheltenham this afternoon is whether mighty Big Buck’s can win his 16th race in-a-row in the Ladbrokes’ World Hurdle?