THE defection of both Exotic Dancer and Air Force One from tomorrow’s Hennessy at Leopardstown obviously makes the task of Neptune Collonges decidedly easier than a week ago.

AIR FORCE ONE will bypass the rescheduled Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Leopardstown on Sunday and go straight to Cheltenham.

Last year’s winner Our Vic is among a 48-strong entry for the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham on March 12.

KAUTO Star silenced his doubters with a truly stunning display to land his third consecutive Stan James King George VI Chase at Kempton yesterday.

There was a massive shock at Haydock as Snoopy Loopy took advantage of a last-fence exit by Kauto Star to land the Grade One Betfair Chase.

ONE of racing’s greatest one-sided rivalries will be renewed at Haydock today when the brilliant Kauto Star attempts to confirm his superiority over Exotic Dancer.

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

SAM Thomas is ready to fill the role of super-sub yet again as Ruby Walsh recovers from having his spleen removed – starting with Kauto Star in the Betfair Chase at Haydock on Saturday.

Nick Mitchell expects a wide-open Ryanair Chase to develop into a real thriller at Cheltenham tomorrow.

Twist Magic floundered in the testing ground and suffered a shock reverse at the hands of front-running Tamarinbleu in the Victor Chandler Chase at Ascot.

PAUL Nicholls has red-hot favourite Twist Magic “in seriously good order” for the Victor Chandler Chase at Ascot today.

Paul Nicholls has red-hot favourite Twist Magic “in seriously good order” for the Victor Chandler Chase at Ascot tomorrow.

TWIST MAGIC heads 15 entries for the Grade One Victor Chandler Chase at Ascot on January 19.

Twist Magic heads 15 entries for the Grade One Victor Chandler Chase at Ascot on January 19.

Jack The Giant slayed the bookmakers as the result of a monumental gamble in The Ladbroke at Ascot.

Kauto Star will face a maximum of seven rivals in his bid to land back-to-back renewals of the Stan James King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day.

New Alco will have a break before returning for a spring campaign following a disappointing run in the Boylesports.com Gold Cup.

DAVID Pipe has his fingers crossed the forecast dry week materialises to give Abragante a leading chance in Saturday’s Boylesports.com Gold Cup at Cheltenham.

Tamarinbleu proved far too good for his 15 rivals when landing a notable success in the feature Langvale Homes Charleston Grange Perth Gold Cup at the Scottish venue.

Flu-hit trainer John Quinn received the perfect tonic when Leslingtaylor landed the Betfred Swinton Handicap Hurdle at Haydock.

Abragante just pipped Chilling Place as jumps fans were treated to a thrilling finishing in the opening race on a mixed card at Haydock.

TIMMY MURPHY will team up with Vodka Bleu in a bid to land back-to-back victories in the Paddy Power Gold Cup after it was confirmed the seven-year-old was trainer David Pipe’s “number-one hope” in the Cheltenham feature.

Vodka Bleu is challenging Taranis for outright favouritism in the Paddy Power Gold Cup after David Pipe’s bullish appraisal of his chances.

Racing Demon tops a list of 14 declarations for tomorrow’s Irish Independent Arkle Trophy at the Cheltenham Festival.

The rescheduled Blue Square Kingmaker Novices’ Chase at Wincanton on Saturday has received 14 entries, headed by the Alan King-trained Voy Por Ustedes.

Kauto Star heads nine entries for the rescheduled Levy Board Game Spirit Chase at Lingfield on Saturday.

Racing Demon heads a list of 57 entries for the Irish Independent Arkle Challenge Trophy at the Cheltenham Festival.

Paul Nolan is considering giving Irish Independent Arkle Trophy favourite Accordion Etoile a prep race in Ireland rather than returning to England ahead of the Cheltenham Festival.

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

ESSEX, winner of the Pierse Hurdle at Leopardstown earlier this month, is ante-post favourite to complete a famous double in the totesport Trophy at Newbury on February 12.

MONTE CINTO is now the 9-2 favourite for Saturday’s Ladbroke Handicap Hurdle after the five-day entries were revealed yesterday.

Winning trainer Nicky Henderson declared that “good things come in little parcels” after seeing one of his smallest horses take one of the biggest races of the season so far at Cheltenham.

Trouble At Bay continued trainer Alan King's rich vein of form when taking the opening race on Tripleprint Gold Cup day at Cheltenham.