Nicky Henderson is relieved to have finally got Altior’s season up and running – and “all is going well” for his bid to emulate Badsworth Boy in the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

NOTHING for it this week then, with Storm Ciara messing us about big-time, but to look ahead to the Cheltenham Festival in an effort to pinpoint some value.

Reigning champion Al Boum Photo is one of 20 horses still in contention for the Magners Cheltenham Gold Cup following the latest scratchings deadline for the six non-novice Grade Ones at next month’s Festival.

In recent years, Festival Trials Day has more than lived up to its billing with 16 runners over the last five years going on to win at Cheltenham in March.

Stay on the good side of these 10 chasers in the months ahead.

The eight-year-old surrendered her unbeaten record over fences when going down by a length and a quarter to Kalashnikov at Aintree on her final start last season but that was her sole defeat in five starts in the 2018-19 campaign.

There is a great card to get the 2019 Punchestown festival underway and Delta Work can ensure a good start to a long week for punters by taking the Grade 1 Dooley Insurance Group Champion Novice Chase.

After the conspicuous lack of success on Day One I’m twitchy.

Provided it gets the go-ahead, day two of Cheltenham will see two three-time heroes go in search of a fourth Festival success and it’ll rank as a massive surprise if Altior and Tiger Roll fail to oblige.

From Arkle v Mill House to Kauto Star v Denman to Native River v Might Bite, the Cheltenham Festival has produced some epic duels down the years. It’ll be no different this week and the three showdowns below certainly won’t be for the faint-hearted, says Darren Norris

Hard to recall a Tuesday card at Cheltenham as difficult as today’s but Benie Des Dieux can be the punters’ pal on the opening day to the 2019 Festival by proving a class apart from her rivals in the OLBG Mares’ Hurdle.

Samcro has been ruled out of a return to the Cheltenham Festival next week by trainer Gordon Elliott.

Last year’s Cheltenham Gold Cup winner, Sizing John, may not be here to defend his crown but trainer Jessica Harrington has an able deputy in the shape of Our Duke, who can land racing’s blue riband on the final day of another very successful Festival for Irish-trained runners.

The hype that surrounds Presenting Percy should ensure Monalee goes off a tasty price in today’s RSA Insurance Novices’ Chase and Henry De Bromhead’s charge is fancied to do the business in a race that historically separates the men from the boys.

Property website Zoopla has announced it will not seek to renew its sponsorship of West Brom at the end of the season in light of Nicolas Anelka’s controversial "

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A slim majority of Puerto Ricans sought to change their ties with the United States and become the 51st US state in a non-binding referendum that would require final approval from Congress.

Nicolas Anelka would love to extend his time at Chelsea until 2014 before heading for a big-money move abroad.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has described new Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari as a “quality man” – but feels the timing of the announcement of his appointment at Stamford Bridge hampered Portugal’s chances at Euro 2008.

JUANDE RAMOS insists it is not his style to “park the bus” at Stamford Bridge, like Tottenham were accused of doing when they last earned a point at Chelsea.

An Italian court has sentenced two former German soldiers to life in prison for their role in the 1944 massacre of 16 people near the Tuscan town of Arezzo, a lawyer said today.

Arsenal’s French midfielder Robert Pires believes he may have a chance of returning to the France team after his fellow international outcast Nicolas Anelka was welcomed back into the fold.

CHELSEA will not stop splashing the cash on big-name players even though Frank Arnesen has taken control over the youth set-up at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea will not stop splashing the cash on big-name players even though Frank Arnesen has taken control over the youth set-up at Stamford Bridge.

“I DIDN’T think this was coming to be honest,” quips Robbie Keane. It’s a press conference in Portmarnock ahead of tomorrow’s World Cup game against Israel but, inevitably, a question is posed about the player’s situation at Spurs

Tottenham head coach Martin Jol has emerged as the frontrunner to succeed Ronald Koeman as coach of Ajax.

FORMER France and Tottenham coach Jacques Santini admits he “dug his own grave” when he agreed a contract with the London club before Euro 2004.

Former France and Tottenham coach Jacques Santini admits he “dug his own grave” when he agreed a contract with the London club before Euro 2004.

Tottenham’s Michael Carrick has appealed to England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson to give him another chance on the international scene.

JOSE MOURINHO is determined not to become embroiled in psychological warfare with Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson.

TOTTENHAM head coach Martin Jol yesterday revealed why he turned down the chance of working with Alex Ferguson at Manchester United.

Tottenham face the shame of a possible sixth consecutive Premiership defeat at Aston Villa tomorrow - but new head coach Martin Jol insists: "We won't change our new style."

Republic of Ireland boss Brian Kerr believes Robbie Keane is certain to flourish under new Spurs head coach Martin Jol.

TOTTENHAM sporting director Frank Arnesen yesterday denied former head coach Jacques Santini’s claim that there was a rift between them at White Hart Lane.

Tottenham sporting director Frank Arnesen has denied former head coach Jacques Santini’s claim that there was a rift between them at White Hart Lane.

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New Tottenham head coach Martin Jol believes the goals will flow in the Premiership if the service is right for what he describes as one of the best strike partnerships in the UK.

David Pleat says he hopes new Spurs head coach Martin Jol will prove to be the “strong character” Tottenham need to revive their fortunes.

MARTIN JOL was yesterday named as Tottenham’s new head coach and immediately pledged to follow in the footsteps of Bill Nicholson and guide the club back to the ‘Glory, Glory’ days.

Dutchman Martin Jol was today confirmed as Tottenham’s new head coach.

Tottenham are expected to announce their managerial plans for the rest of the season today with favourite Martin Jol vowing to embrace the traditional passing game associated with White Hart Lane.

Stunned Tottenham players will face Charlton at White Hart Lane today without a manager following Jacques Santini’s decision to quit.

MARTIN JOL will almost certainly be handed the Spurs job in the wake of Jacques Santini’s decision last night to walk out of White Hart Lane.

Tottenham manager Jacques Santini has left the club for personal reasons after just 13 games in charge.

Tottenham were today rocked by the news that midfielder Sean Davis will not play again this year after he was forced to undergo knee surgery.