Nicky Henderson has yet to make a final decision on whether Sprinter Sacre will make his eagerly-awaited return to action in the 888sport Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown on December 6.

The sky looks the limit for Vautour as last season’s top novice hurdler made an impressive debut over fences in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners Chase at Navan yesterday.

Dessie Hughes was described as the "professional’s professional" by Willie Mullins as tributes poured in from the racing world following the Kildare trainer’s death at the age of 71.

Training great Dessie Hughes has died, aged 71.

A number of homes were evacuated in Dublin last night after the discovery of a viable pipebomb outside a home in Clondalkin.

Willie Mullins’ winning machine may have an enviable record but he is still pigeon-holed as the Robbie Keane of racing.

Dessie Hughes wishes the Stan James Champion Hurdle was next week, such is the condition of his representative Our Conor.

Four people have been taken to hospital suffering from smoke inhalation following a fire in Clondalkin in Dublin overnight.

Owners Gigginstown House Stud have been cleared of any wrongdoing by the Irish Turf Club in relation to the late withdrawal of Road To Riches at Cork on November 3.

Noel Meade’s Apache Stronghold took apart a field of previous winners in the Grade Two “Monksfield” Novice Hurdle at Navan.

The Willie Mullins-trained French import Noble Inn and Gordon Elliott’s Gigginstown-owned newcomer Charcam looked two decent juvenile hurdling prospects when fighting out the finish of the Ballinrobe Members Club 2014 3-Y-0 Maiden Hurdle in Ballinrobe yesterday.

The Dessie Hughes-trained novice Tofino Bay landed the €80,000 Ladbrokes Troytown Handicap Chase in gruelling conditions in Navan yesterday.

JOCKEY Alan Crowe completed back-to-back wins in the valuable Ladbrokes.com Troytown Handicap Chase at Navan yesterday, getting the Christy Ruche-trained 10/1 shot Groody Hill up close home to foil Ad Idem, with Cross Appeal third after making a costly mistake at the final fence.

Groody Hill capped a red-letter day for owner JP McManus with a last-gasp victory in the Ladbrokes.com Troytown Handicap Chase at Navan.

CASH AND GO can land the nap in the Follow Gowran Park On Facebook Novice Hurdle at the Co Kilkenny track today.

THAT was mission accomplished at Cheltenham yesterday for Steps To Freedom and I was delighted. He took the journey no problem, travelled well during the race, jumped super and did the job on his first experience of a unique track even though the ground was softer than you’d think.

Mouse Morris is looking to run The Hurl at Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting following the six-year-old’s victory at Navan on Sunday.

IN the 1940/’50s, the US endured the terrible scourge of Senator Joseph McCarthy who typified the extreme anti-communist movement in the US during that period.

Pandorama maintained his unbeaten record with a bloodless victory in the “Monksfield” Novice Hurdle at Navan.

TAKE a chance on Western Gale having a going day in the Irish Stallion Farms’ EBF Novice Chase at Gowran Park this afternoon.

TONY MULLINS takes the wraps off potential Cheltenham Festival candidate Aranleigh in the Porters’ Saddlery Maiden Hurdle at Gowran Park this afternoon.

FOR SOME, horse racing on the beach represents all that is best about Irish life.

COLM MURPHY is not expecting the ground to be a major stumbling block to Brave Inca as he prepares to defend his Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle title.

DES McDONOGH, himself an Irish Cheltenham hero with Monksfield in the Champion Hurdles of 1978 and 1979, is well aware of how fickle horse racing can be.

Cane Brake gave Barry Geraghty back-to-back wins in the williamhill.ie Troytown Handicap Chase with a clear-cut victory in the Navan feature.

SOUTHERN VIC is fancied to defy top weight in the williamhill.ie Troytown Chase at Navan tomorrow.

HARDY EUSTACE will bid to join the racing greats at Cheltenham today when he goes for glory in the Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle.

Hardy Eustace will bid to join the racing greats at Cheltenham tomorrow when he goes for glory in the Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle.

ROGER LOUGHRAN, who turned professional only on December 17, was hit with a 14-day ban after committing a dreadful error aboard Central House in the Paddy Power Dial-A-Bet Chase at Leopardstown yesterday.

MASTER punter and multi-millionaire JP McManus is believed to have relieved one bookie of €700,000 yesterday as Irish eyes were smiling at Cheltenham.

IT IS SAID that the best method of asserting an opinion is to put your money where your mouth is.

LAST year’s Cheltenham Festival produced one of the most poignant moments in the history of the great event.

Reigning champion hurdler Hardy Eustace and Irish darling Solerina are set to clash in Sunday’s Giltspur Scientific Tara Hurdle at Navan.

LAR BYRNE put it best when he said Hardy Eustace won yesterday's Cheltenham Champion Hurdle with two jockeys on his back.

Top Flat rider Michael Kinane could make his Cheltenham Festival debut next month after being offered a ride in the Weatherbys Champion Bumper.

The Cheltenham Gold Cup remains the premier event in the steeplechasing calendar, and Dessie Hughes certainly knows what it takes to win the Blue-Riband event of the festival, having piloted the Mick O’Toole-trained Davy Lad to victory in the 1977 race.

DIMINUTIVE and baby faced as he is, there is an obvious steel to Declan McDonogh.