Quel Esprit booked his Cheltenham ticket when making virtually all the running to give Willie Mullins an eighth victory in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Leopardstown.

THE defections of Synchronised and Quito De La Roque have greatly enhanced my prospects of winning the Hennessy Gold Cup on Quel Esprit at Leopardstown tomorrow.

I THINK it’s fair to say I’m more hopeful than confident facing into the final day of Punchestown this afternoon.

WILLIE MULLINS insists his brilliant mare Quevega is likely to compete against her own sex once again at Cheltenham next year after completing a hat-trick in the David Nicholson Mares’ Hurdle last week.

I’M as confident as I can be heading into a Grade 1 that Master Minded will have all the answers in the Queen Mother Champion Chase today.

THERE’S a strong possibility this could well develop into a hugely frustrating weekend.

THERE’S an old adage which says if you have six Derby horses then the reality is that you actually have none!

YANKEE Doodle should make Johnny Murtagh’s trip to Wexford worthwhile tonight by landing the Barrow Maiden.

GIVEN that we are in the deepest recession since the foundation of the state, you would have to describe Punchestown last week as reasonably successful.

IT’S amazing how much interest the traditional after-racing gallop at Leopardstown last Sunday generated.

Hurricane Fly is just 7-2 with Cashmans for the Ballymore Properties Novices’ Hurdle next spring after registering another Grade One prize at Leopardstown.