Peter Fahey’s horse struck form with a vengeance when asserting late to win a novice handicap chase in mid-March, and while he is 9lbs higher this time, he looks well treated and can prove it by following up.

Back on a retrieval mission in the Grade One Barberstown Castle Novice Chase on day three in Punchestown, he can reverse form with Only By Night, who finished runner-up in the Cheltenham Grade One.

Toughness is not jabbing the bas or butt of your hurley into your marker’s genitals.

Waterford will hope to pounce on any Clare complacency on Sunday. 

Two-year-old Sup Of Red made a most promising start to her career when runner-up in a fillies’ maiden in Cork and she can go one place better in the Irish EBF Median Sires Maiden.

As the full-house signs go up all over Munster, Kieran Shannon in a two-part series delved the history books and crunched the numbers to see who previously has had claim to be the biggest draw and hottest ticket in the game.

Henry de Bromhead’s mare finished placed in two point-to-point races before embarking on a track career, and thus far, there have been some promising efforts in defeat but no victories.

First Dare can go one place better than last year at Bellewstown

Jessica Harrington’s Some Performance can make breakthrough on return in Median Auction Maiden

Having finished third in last season’s Topham Chase over a trip too sharp for him, these fences hold no fears for the Paul Nicholls-trained nine-year-old 

Tipperary have also qualified for the final courtesy of the Cats’ first home win

Despite enjoying the lions share of the territory and the chances, the home side were somewhat toothless in attack, with Rowe finishing at the second attempt three minutes into the additional four.

Tommy Lyons and Brendan O’Brien talk through the latest, alarming dip in crowd numbers at the Cheltenham Festival, even as the quality of racing and the drama continues to take the breath away.

After a Cheltenham week full of emotion and drama, we go again for Gold Cup day in the Cotswolds. 

Willie Mullins and jockey Paul Townend are seeking a fifth win in the race.

After a Cheltenham day 2 full of emotion and poignancy, we go again for day 3 in the Cotswolds. 

If this race turns into a stamina test, which it ought to, Gordon Elliott's seven-year-old will come into his own and can run down the pacesetters close home.

Keep up-to-date with the latest results at Cheltenham. 

Racing correspondent Tommy Lyons and columnist Ruby Walsh look ahead to Gold Cup Friday.