Roi Des Francs gave Willie Mullins a third successive win (and a fourth in five years) in the Grade 3 Surehaul Mercedes Benz Novice Hurdle in Clonmel yesterday, the centrepiece of another treble for the champion trainer.

The Eddie Harty-trained Dalmatia should prove tough to beat in the Kilsheelan Mares Maiden Hurdle on today’s rescheduled card in Clonmel.

I was surprised yesterday when discovering that the BHA has decided to hold a somewhat belated inquiry into Aidan Coleman’s use of the whip when winning the Welsh Grand National at Chepstow aboard Emperor’s Choice.

Gordon Elliott will consider letting stable star Don Cossack turn out for next week’s Kinloch Brae Chase at Thurles.

Marito and Roi Du Mee filled the first two places in the Listed At The Races Chase last year and the pair clash again in the Tramore feature today.

Daryl Jacob warmed up for his big ride on Cue Card in perfect fashion by riding a double at Haydock on Friday.

It’s all systems go for the start of Punchestown today and I will arrive in a positive frame of mind, after making a successful comeback aboard Un de Sceaux at Auteuil on Saturday.

The evergreen and ever popular Sizing Europe is set to make his fifth successive appearance in the Boylesports.com Champion Chase at Punchestown on Tuesday.

What a great day to be on the couch, with the Grand National from Aintree and Heineken Cup rugby on the box! But, you know what, I’d give anything to be at Aintree, in the thick of the action.

Leading Cheltenham contenders Big Buck’s and Silviniaco Conti could enjoy a workout after racing at Exeter on Friday, if the ground is suitable.

I hope Gowran Park today survives an inspection, because the exciting Un de Sceaux looks a penalty kick in a Grade 2 hurdle.

Willie Mullins is happy to take small steps with Un De Sceaux as he attempts to maintain his unbeaten record in the Red Mill Trial Hurdle at Gowran Park today.

Dunguib is on course to have his second comeback run this weekend at either Gowran Park or Navan, meaning he could clash with Champion Hurdle dark horse Un De Sceaux.

The rather frustating Si C’etait Vrai is worth risking in the 5 Star Sunday-6th April Beginners Chase at Fairyhouse this afternoon.

Quel Esprit, Willie Mullins’ 2012 Irish Hennessy winner, will run in a hunter chase at Leopardstown on February 9 but the grey is not eligible for the CGA Foxhunter Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

The Willie Mullins-trained Turban romped to a convincing six lengths win over gambled-on favourite Competitive Edge in the €100,000 The Underwriting Exchange Dan Moore Memorial Handicap Chase in Fairyhouse yesterday.

Willie Mullins’ decision not to send any horses to England means it’s a weekend at home for me, at Naas today and Fairyhouse tomorrow.

Dessie Hughes insists Our Conor “couldn’t be better” ahead of his second crack at Hurricane Fly in the BHP Insurance Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown on January 26.

Willie Mullins appears to be preparing another assault on this weekend’s British action with entries at both of the principal Saturday meetings at Ascot and Haydock.

Castle Wings was left to open his account over fences in fortuitous fashion after the long odds-on Blood Cotil took a crashing fall at the second last in the McCarthy Insurance Group Beginners Chase at Cork.

Well, I was all set to be off on my travels again today to ride three horses for Willie Mullins at Sandown, but the meeting was abandoned yesterday afternoon.

Michael Winters’ Galway Hurdle hero, Rebel Fitz, is set to make his eagerly awaited debut over fences in the Irish Stallion Farms’ EBF Beginners Chase at Killarney tonight.

Former multiple champion Ruby Walsh cut Davy Russell’s lead in the title-race to seven (100-93) when completing a pre-Punchestown double on Turban and Living Next Door in Cork last night.

I ride in all seven races at Newbury today, but the undoubted highlight promises to be Silviniaco Conti (pictured) in the Denman Chase.

Our Vinnie displayed his customary stamina and toughness to land the Grade 3 Liberty Insurance Novice Hurdle narrowly in Limerick yesterday.

The multi-talented Quevega produced a dazzling display to slam Voler La Vedette in the Grade 1 Ladbrokes.com Series World Hurdle at Punchestown last evening.

I am especially looking forward to today, because, to my way of thinking, Quevega and Voler La Vedette is the clash of the week in the three mile Grade 1 hurdle.

I’m well aware there has been much speculation of late regarding what I will ride in next Saturday’s Grand National at Aintree, but this morning I can reveal it will be Willie Mullins’ On His Own.

IT is very much a case of role reversal for me this weekend. Normally, I'm in England today and back in Ireland tomorrow, but it is the opposite this time round.

WITH conditions in his favour, Joncol will be expected to become the first horse since Native Upmanship to win a second John Durkan Memorial Chase at Punchestown tomorrow.

RIDING Hinterland in the opening juvenile hurdle at Cheltenham is a good way to start the day and I’ll be disappointed if he doesn’t win.

THE Willie Mullins juggernaut is now in full flow and the champion trainer struck with a three-timer at Thurles yesterday.

Hattan served notice he can take high order in middle-distance Group races this summer when producing a smart change of gear to land the betdirect.com Winter Derby for Clive Brittain at Lingfield.