Michael Bowe believes the David Nicholson Mares’ Only Hurdle is a “long overdue” addition to the Cheltenham Festival programme.

WILLIE Mullins ended 2007 on a high when, in addition to winning with O’Hana at Tramore, he saddled Snowy Morning and C’est Ca to triumph at Punchestown yesterday.

Sweet Kiln will face eight rivals as she bids to continue the Bowe family's amazing record in Sunday's Hatton's Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse.

SWEET Kiln will bid to boost the Bowe family’s domination of the Ballymore Properties Hatton’s Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse on Sunday.

French Accordion was handed a first-show quote of 20-1 for the Arkle after a seamless victory at Navan.

Sweet Kiln gave the Bowe family their fourth victory in the Philips Electronics Lismullen Hurdle at Navan.

Sweet Kiln is more than likely to contest Sunday’s Philips Electronics Lismullen Hurdle at Navan – but trainer Michael Bowe expects her to improve for the outing.

HOMER WELLS made an amazing recovery after nearly being brought down to claim the Grade Two Woodlands Park 100 Slaney Novice Hurdle at Naas yesterday.

Champion Hurdle hero Brave Inca slogged through the Fairyhouse mud to win the rescheduled Ballymore Properties Hatton’s Grace Hurdle at the third time of asking.

Colm Murphy is confident champion hurdler Brave Inca will put up an improved performance in the Ballymore Properties Hatton’s Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse on Sunday.

BRAVE INCA heads a list of six possible runners in the Ballymore Properties Hatton’s Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse on Sunday.

THOMAS O’Leary holds the halter of stable star Scarthy Lad in one hand, while the other hoses the ‘Stay Sound’ compound from the horse’s off foreleg. There’s a wistful, but resigned, look on his face as the plaster-esque substance dilutes and runs down the drain.

THE Bowe family, who have produced superb racehorses over the years such as Limestone Lad and Solerina, are on the march again.

Noel Meade is satisfied with Harchibald’s condition after his eagerly-awaited reappearance in the Tipperary Hurdle on Sunday.

NOEL MEADE is satisfied with Harchibald’s condition after his eagerly-awaited reappearance in the Tipperary Hurdle on Sunday.

Noel Meade is satisfied with Harchibald’s condition after his eagerly-awaited reappearance in the Tipperary Hurdle on Sunday.

HARCHIBALD is the star attraction on a cracking card at Tipperary tomorrow.

THE decision of Horse Racing Ireland to downgrade Tipperary’s John James McManus Memorial Hurdle in October From a Grade One to a Grade Two has raised more than a few eyebrows.

STRANGELY BROWN will be out to prove himself as a Grade One performer when he lines up in the Whitewater Champion Stayers’ Hurdle at Punchestown on Thursday.

PROLIFIC mare Solerina is not expected to run again this season as connections mull over the prospect of covering her in the spring.

Prolific mare Solerina is not expected to run again this season as connections mull over the prospect of covering her in the spring.

Three of the top hurdlers are going for tomorrow’s AIG Irish Champion Hurdle. Michael Halford’s Golden Cross might not be rated as one of them, but, the trainer tells Declan Colley he deserves his chance and could surprise people.

DESSIE HUGHES is in a bullish mood ahead of Hardy Eustace’s rematch with Macs Joy and Brave Inca in the AIG Europe Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown tomorrow.

AT around 5.30pm on Wednesday trainer John Carr rang fellow handler Tony Martin and told him his (Carr’s) horse Killeaney had got a knock and would have to miss the following day’s Ellen Construction Thyestes Handicap Chase at Gowran Park.

Tom Mullins has ruled Ladbrokes World Hurdle candidate Asian Maze out of any possible engagements over the next few days and is now looking to give her a prep race next month.

Golden Cross will seek to enhance his growing reputation in the AIG Europe Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown on Sunday.

GOLDEN CROSS will seek to enhance his growing reputation in the AIG Europe Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown on Sunday.

SWEET WAKE, two from two over flights, is now the clear favourite for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham.

TONY MARTIN’S worst fears were realised yesterday morning when his ante-post favourite for this afternoon’s Ellen Construction Thyestes Handicap Chase at Gowran Park, Dun Doire, failed to make the line up and is first reserve.

Tom Mullins has ruled Ladbrokes World Hurdle candidate Asian Maze out of any possible engagements over the next few days and is now looking to give her a prep race next month.

Golden Cross will seek to enhance his growing reputation in the AIG Europe Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown on Sunday.

Solerina notched up her 22nd career success when seeing off four rivals in the Cedar Building Hurdle at Naas.

THE progressive Southern Vic is fancied to concede weight all round in the Grade Two Woodlands Park 100 Club Novice Chase at Naas this afternoon.

WAR OF ATTRITION, who came back to something approaching his best when second to Beef Or Salmon in the Lexus 'Chase at Leopardstown at Christmas, will go straight to the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

THE lunacy of long-range ante-post betting for punters on National Hunt racing was surely never better illustrated than by the problems of Kicking King, Harchibald and Inglis Drever over the last few days.

Solerina is to revert to a shorter trip after finding three miles too far when only fourth at Leopardstown on Wednesday.

BEEF OR SALMON thundered back into Cheltenham Gold Cup contention when storming away with the Grade One Lexus Chase at Leopardstown yesterday.

BRAVE INCA is the choice to outbattle Harchibald in the featured bewleyshotels.com December Festival Hurdle at Leopardstown this afternoon.

Paul Carberry warmed up for Beef Or Salmon’s big-race success in the best way possible when he gave Rosaker a vintage ride to win the woodiesdiy.com Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown.

TAKE a chance on Hedgehunter creating a mild surprise by landing the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown this afternoon.

Solerina goes for the 19th win of her career over obstacles but her first over three miles when sh contests the woodiesdiy.com Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown tomorrow.

JUSTIFIED is fancied to run his rivals ragged in the Grade One Durkan New Homes Novice Chase at Leopardstown on Monday.

Champion Bumper hero Missed That got off the mark at the second time of asking over fences with victory in the Sunnyhill Stud European Breeders Fund Beginners Chase at Navan.