LISTENING to Ruby Walsh at the Cashmans’ Cheltenham preview-night on Monday you would be inclined to avail of the 7-4 or so available about him to be leading jockey at next week’s Festival.

HARCHIBALD, runner-up in the Smurfit Champion Hurdle last spring, has been ruled out of a repeat bid on the day that 35 entries were announced for this year’s renewal on March 14.

COLM MURPHY hopes to know more in the next week about the prospects of his unbeaten Feathard Lady making it to Cheltenham for the Smurfit Champion Hurdle.

KICKING KING, the warm ante-post favourite for the Cheltenham Gold Cup in March, will miss the race.