Paul Carberry displayed all his strength at Punchestown today when driving Wild Passion home for a heart-stopping victory in the Evening Herald Champion Novice Hurdle.

Wild Passion heads a high-class field for the Evening Herald Champion Novice Hurdle on the first day of the Punchestown Festival tomorrow.

Quazar provided further evidence that Jonjo O’Neill’s horses have finally escaped the doldrums when he formed the highlight of a 62-1 treble for Tony McCoy at Cheltenham today.

The win by Jonjo O’Neill-trained Specular in the Braybrook Racing “We Support Sport” HBLB Novices’ Chase at Huntingdon yesterday ended a nightmare run of 73 days without a winner.

Tony McCoy appeared optimistic today that some of Jonjo O’Neill’s horses would be reappearing during the next month.

“Faugh-A-Ballagh”

JACKDAWS CASTLE is closed for business. That’s the message from Jonjo O’Neill, who is shutting up shop for the foreseeable future, as a bug has laid low some of his top jumping stars.

Stayers’ Hurdle hero Iris’s Gift could make his eagerly-awaited debut over fences at Windsor on Saturday.

Stayers’ Hurdle hero Iris’s Gift could make his eagerly-awaited debut over fences at Windsor on Saturday.

Jonjo O'Neill's Rhinestone Cowboy is unlikely to turn out for tomorrow’s Emo Oil Champion Hurdle at Punchestown after a brilliant victory there today.

Rhinestone Cowboy was a surprise name on the list of declared runners for tomorrow’s Emo Oil Champion Hurdle at Punchestown.

ROOSTER BOOSTER, runner-up to Sacundai in the Martell Cognac Aintree Hurdle 12 months ago, will bid to go one better in the Grade One contest tomorrow.

Rooster Booster, runner-up to Sacundai in the Martell Cognac Aintree Hurdle 12 months ago, will bid to go one better in the Grade One contest on Saturday.

RHINESTONE COWBOY is all set to lead Jonjo O’Neill’s assault on Saturday’s Martell Cognac Aintree Hurdle at the Liverpool course.

Rooster Booster was denied victory in Newbury today, finishing second in the Tote Gold Trophy for the third time in four years.

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

Rooster Booster is all set to complete his preparations for Cheltenham with a run in the Tote Gold Trophy, which should, in theory, be a straight-forward task for the reigning champion hurdler.

CHAMPION Hurdle hero Rooster Booster has been installed 11-2 favourite with the sponsors for the Tote Gold Trophy at Newbury next month following the publication of the weights yesterday.

“Faugh-A-Ballagh”

Back In Front had to work hard to justify odds-on favouritism in the Mongey Communications Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown this afternoon to confirm his credentials for the Smurfit Champion Hurdle next March.

CHAMPION Hurdle aspirant Back In Front gets the vote to beat Intersky Falcon in a fascinating John James McManus Memorial Hurdle at Tipperary tomorrow.

CHRISTY ROCHE’S Mind The Square can enjoy a first success over jumps in the Stephen Grainger Haulage Novice Hurdle at Punchestown tonight.

Tony Dobbin’s special relationship with Quazar scaled new heights with their eighth and most valuable success in the Emo Oil Champion Hurdle at Punchestown.

THE courageous Quazar turned-over Back In Front at the end of a thrilling Emo Oil Champion Hurdle before a crowd of 15,600 at Punchestown yesterday.

Quazar caused an upset at Punchestown today when flooring odds-on favourite Back In Front in the Emo Oil Champion Hurdle.

EDWARD O’Grady’s Back In Front has to be fancied to complete a spectacular five-timer in the EMO Oil Champion Hurdle at Punchestown this afternoon.

FOXCHAPEL KING heads the 26 entries left in the attheraces Gold Cup at Sandown on Saturday following yesterday’s confirmation stage.

Rooster Booster enhanced his Smurfit Champion Hurdle aspirations when powering to success under top-weight in the Rehabilitation of Racehorses Hurdle at Cheltenham today.