Steve Gollings can take a serious look at the Festival after Local Hero passed his test in the JCB Triumph Hurdle Trial at Cheltenham today.

MEDERMIT’S ambitions of reaching the top of the novice chasing division suffered a major setback when the grey refused on his second start over fences at Huntingdon.

Louth handler Steve Gollings secured a 16-1 Market Rasen double courtesy of Viscount Rossini and Springfield Raki - both ridden by rising star Rhys Flint.

Connections of Fiftyfive Degrees believe there will be plenty more races to be won with the eight-year-old after he turned in an impressive performance at Newcastle.

I finally arrived home about noon yesterday, after what can be best described as a less than enjoyable few days.

Members of the Highclere Thoroughbred Racing syndicate almost outnumbered racegoers at Lingfield on Monday – but their presence was worthwhile as Hustle took the feature HBLB Handicap.

Former champion jockey Ryan Moore collected more winners in an afternoon at Lingfield than his previous seasonal total as he steered home a 17-1 treble.

The familiar Mark Prescott/Seb Sanders pairing played a prominent role in the win of Ricci De Mare at Southwell.

In more ways than one it was very much a case of the calm before the storm for racegoers at Market Rasen.

Minaad, four times a winner on the Flat in Germany, made it two out of two over hurdles when justifying 8-11 favouritism under Josh Byrne in the AJ Glassfibre Novices’ Hurdle at Market Rasen.

Osako D’Airy opened his British account at the ninth attempt under a good ride from Kevin Tobin in the Racing Post “Hands And Heels” Jump Series Handicap Hurdle at Market Rasen.

Title-chasing Seb Sanders breezed past the century mark in record time with an opportune treble at Brighton.

Ursis will bid to build on a good performance at the Cheltenham Festival in the Powers Gold Cup at Fairyhouse on Sunday.

Egyptian Lord looks poised to extend an impressive winning sequence by landing the spoils in the Go Pontin’s Handicap at Southwell on Thursday.

Straw Bear appeared right back to his best when posting an authoritative victory in the Bathwick Tyres Kingwell Hurdle at Wincanton - but trainer Nick Gifford immediately played down his charge's Cheltenham Festival hopes.

Bookmakers can see little danger to Kauto Star in the Aon Chase at Newbury on Saturday.

Totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup favourite Kauto Star heads a list of 12 possibles for Saturday’s Aon Chase at Newbury.

Two further entries were revealed for Saturday’s Agfa UK Hurdle at Sandown after the race was reopened.

Gary Moore just bested Nicky Henderson as Verasi landed the first running of the new-look intercasino.co.uk Lanzarote Handicap Hurdle at Kempton.

NEWMILL tops a list of 30 entries for the Seasons Holidays Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

Newmill tops a list of 30 entries for the Seasons Holidays Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

Philip Hobbs believes Noble Request will benefit from the run when he makes his seasonal reappearance in the £1 Million totetentofollow Elite Hurdle at Wincanton tomorrow.

Napolitain and Tony McCoy just held on to take an incident-packed renewal of the Grade One totesport.com Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase at Sandown.

FEATHARD LADY stormed to the forefront of the Smurfit Champion Hurdle picture as she extended her unbeaten run to seven under a peach of a ride from Ruby Walsh in the Stan James Christmas Hurdle at Sandown yesterday.

Feathard Lady stormed to the forefront of the Smurfit Champion Hurdle picture as she extended her unbeaten run to seven under a peach of a ride from Ruby Walsh in the Stan James Christmas Hurdle at Sandown.

John Queally will wait until Friday morning before deciding whether to commit Al Eile to the Stan James Christmas Hurdle on Boxing Day.

Lingo has been ruled out of the Stan James Christmas Hurdle at Sandown on Boxing Day.

Senorita Rumbalita avoided the last-fence drama of her hurdling debut to keep backers warm in the cold at Folkestone.

Arcalis made an impressive seasonal reappearance to win the Grade One Pertemps ‘Fighting Fifth’ Hurdle at Newcastle.

Steve Gollings hopes for drying conditions at Cheltenham so Royal Shakespeare can take part in Sunday’s Greatwood Hurdle.

French Accordion looks set to bypass a crack at the Greatwood Hurdle at Cheltenham in favour of an alternative engagement at the Paddy Power meeting.

Rooster Booster tops a field of 13 for Saturday’s Stanleybet Handicap Hurdle at Haydock, where he is set for a rematch with Royal Shakespeare.

Ante-post favourite Swift Sailor is one of a maximum field of 18 to stand their ground at the final declaration stage for Wednesday’s totesport Chester Cup.

Once again at Epsom it was a case of ‘horses for courses’ today as those with proven ability to handle the ups and downs of the unique track took the honours.

Royal Shakespeare, runner-up in the Scottish Champion Hurdle on Saturday, could make a quick reappearance at Sandown on Friday or at Punchestown the following week.

LAST year’s Derby winner North Light is set to return in the Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh next month.

Royal Shakespeare, runner-up in yesterday’s Scottish Champion Hurdle, could make a quick reappearance at Sandown on Friday or at Punchestown the following week.

ANTE-POST favourite Hardy Eustace will face 14 rivals as he bids for a second successive win in tomorrow’s Smurfit Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham.

ALBUHERA was a surprise withdrawal from the totesport Trophy Hurdle at yesterday’s confirmation stage.

Rooster Booster could bid to win the Agfa Hurdle for the second time in three years at Sandown on Saturday.

Bookmakers cannot separate Rooster Booster and Back In Front in tomorrow’s totesport Bula Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Former champion hurdler Rooster Booster will try for a second win in the totesport Bula Hurdle at Cheltenham on Saturday.

Harchibald staked his claim for championship honours with a smooth success under a vintage Paul Carberry ride in the Pertemps ‘Fighting Fifth’ Hurdle at Newcastle today.