Champion Chase special offer

As part of their countdown to the Cheltenham Festival, tomorrow Stan James are going to be offering top industry price on every single runner in the Queen Mother Champion Chase.

This means that Stan James will not be beaten on any price on any runner in the Champion Chase throughout the day. This promotion runs for a full 24-hour period from midnight to midnight on Tuesday 1st February.

The offer heralds a month of Cheltenham Festival offers from the bookmaker, throughout February, to help whet the appetite of punters. On Thursday February 3rd, for example, they will be offering 4 places instead of the industry-standard 3 on their Cheltenham Gold Cup ante-post market.

Both Kauto Star and Denman are currently trading at 8/1 with Stan James and 4 places instead of 3 offer could look very attractive for supporters of each horse.

Other great Cheltenham Festival daily offers coming up this month with Stan James include offering 6 places on the Coral Cup ante-post market on Sat 5th, and offering top price on every single runner in the Ryanair Chase for the day on Wed 10th.

For a free £25 bet with Stan James click here.

Stan James February Cheltenham Festival Countdown:

4th Feb - 4/1 Nicky Henderson to win the Triumph
5th Feb - 1/4 1,2,3,4,5,6 The Coral Cup
6th Feb - Special price Enda Bolger to win the Cross Country
7th Feb - Big Buck's enhanced price World Hurdle
8th Feb - Happy Hour (RSA) Special price Paul Nicholls to win the Gold Cup
9th Feb - Special price Irish trained winner of the Champion Bumper
10th Feb - Top Price every runner in the Ryanair Chase
11th Feb - Willie Mullins Festival winners to 100% (Under/over 2.5?)
12th Feb - Kauto Vs Denman (100%)
13th Feb - Irish Winners at the Festival to 100%
14th Feb - Time For Rupert enhanced price RSA
15th Feb - Supreme Novices Happy Hour, Selected jockeys Festival wins

Stan James are also offering a couple of unique markets for the Festival - you can bet on the "Going On First Day" with odds currently:

Good-Soft: 2/5
Good: 3/1
Soft: 9/2
Heavy: 50/1

Given the going on the first day at recent Festival's, the Good-Soft seems like a pretty sure thing:

2010: Good to Soft
2009: Good to Soft
2008: Good to Soft
2007: Soft, Good to Soft in places
2006: Good to Soft
2005: Good

You can also bet on the number of Cheltenham Festival Irish Trained Winners this year (from 27 races):

Under 5.5: 13/8
Over 7.5: 13/8
5.5 - 7.5: 7/4

For reference, the number of Irish trained winners in the last few years at the Festival is as follows, although there is an extra race to consider this year:

2010: 7 (26 races)
2009: 9 (26 races)
2008: 7 (25 races)
2007: 5 (24 races)
2006: 10 (24 races)
2005: 9 (24 races)

For a free £25 bet with Stan James click here.

Last year's Champion Chase Winner, Big Zeb, is currently best-price 7/2 for the 2011 renewal

Noble Prince aimed at Jewson Novices Chase

Noble Prince is now best-price 10/1 (Victor Chandler) favourite for the inaugural running of the Jewson Novices' Chase after trainer Paul Nolan confirmed the 2m4f contest as the exciting chaser's Festival target.

Prominent in the betting for both the Jewson and the two-mile Arkle, Nolan is eyeing the longer race at the Cheltenham for Noble Prince, who has finished second on his last two starts to Realt Dubh, both at Grade One level, most recently in the Arkle Novice Chase at Leopardstown.

However, those runs were over two miles and Nolan has decided to step him up in trip. The trainer said: "Noble Prince is going for the Jewson and not for the Arkle and the step up in trip is what we've decided.

"I was very encouraged by his last run and I hope that better ground will suit. The last day, we thought that he would go past Realt Dubh but that fellow rallied.

"I would hope that he can use his speed better on better ground and that the step up in trip will help him avoid a flat spot in a race when the others quicken and he should be able to travel sweeter. I've always thought that he is a middle-distance horse."

The Des Sharkey-owned seven-year-old was fifth in the County Hurdle at last year's Festival.

Meanwhile, connections of Champion Hurdle third Zaynar are hoping that a wind operation will revitalise the galloping grey – but they are still unsure of his Cheltenham Festival target.

The six-year-old, who won the 2009 JCB Triumph Hurdle, has failed to shine in two runs this season and trainer Nicky Henderson decided an operation was needed to help the horse breath better.

Zaynar, who is part-owned by bookmaker Victor Chandler, was a distant fourth to Karabak in the Grade 2 Relkeel Hurdle at Cheltenham in December, a race he won with ease last year before going on to finish a fine third to Binocular in the Champion Hurdle.

Chandler said: "The partnership that owns Zaynar will meet in the next week to discuss future running plans. The horse has had a recent wind operation that has gone very well and he has been back in light work and going well.

"Nicky Henderson is also very pleased with him. No firm decision about his next run has yet been made and consequently no firm decision about his festival aim will be made until he has had that next run. Generally, the horse is fit and well."

Connections hope Zaynar can win for a second time at the Cheltenham Festival

Golden Silver cut for Champion Chase

Some interesting races at Punchestown yesterday, where Willie Mullins enjoyed a red-letter day with a 950/1 five-timer, highlighted by Golden Silver's victory over Big Zeb in the Grade 2 Tied Cottage Chase.

It was fifth time lucky for Golden Silver against Big Zeb and he had to overcome some poor early jumping to collar the Champion Chase winner close to the finish.

In contrast, Big Zeb and Sizing Europe were fluent and graceful over the fences and it was Big Zeb who hit the front with three fences remaining.

Sizing Europe suddenly found the pace too strong on this drop in trip and Big Zeb kicked clear approaching the final two fences with victory in sight. But in behind, Golden Silver was jumping soundly again and hurtling after the leader. An excellent leap at the last brought him almost level under jockey Paul Townend.

And, with his new-found momentum, Golden Silver ran on strongly to gain his revenge. Sizing Europe was third.

Mullins said: "We're keeping our options open as regards Cheltenham. I was thinking about the Ryanair more than the Champion Chase but after that maybe a strongly run two miles and waiting tactics is better.

"He's had plenty of races but seems to be thriving on it and I'm not ruling out running him again [before Cheltenham]."

Townend added: "I just let him find his way and he flew the last two. At Navan and Leopardstown we were always coming at Big Zeb at the line and we said we'd follow him today.

"I thought they'd gone turning in, but he picked up well. He got his head down and winged the last."

Big Zeb's trainer Colm Murphy said: "The plan remains the same [to go to Cheltenham], the only problem today was the result! I'm a little disappointed but he flew the third and fourth-last and he was possibly in front too soon."

The winner was slashed in price to as short as 8/1 by many bookmakers for the Queen Mother Champion Chase although Skybet were less impressed and offer Golden Silver at best-price 12/1. Meanwhile, the vanquished Big Zeb was pushed out to best-price 7/2 (Bet365).

The Ryanair Chase is also a Cheltenham option, however, and he was cut to best-price 12/1 (William Hill) for that race.

The added significance of the race is that Somersby's connections now appear more tempted to try the Champion Chase than the Ryanair. The longer race had been Somersby's expected target for much of the season until, he ran Master Minded to a short-head at Ascot eight days ago.

"With Big Zeb getting beaten, the race does look a little more open and I'd say that's where he'd be heading," said Terry Biddlecombe, the husband of Somersby's trainer, Henrietta Knight. "He's absolutely bouncing and I think he can go there and run a very big race.

"That was the just seventh start of his life over fences and he's still improving all the time. Although he stays two miles well and looks as if he will get further, I'd hate to run him in the Ryanair and look stupid when he doesn't get the trip.

"If they don't go quick enough for him at Cheltenham, he could always help to make [the running] himself. He's done that before and it would help to give him a good look at his fences."

Somersby is as short as 7/1 for the Champion Chase but available at best-price 10/1 with 888sport.

Mullins five winners yesterday were recorded from just eight runners with Paul Townend's win on Golden Silver one of four for the jockey, while the trainer's son Patrick was aboard Celtic Folklore in the finale.

Gagewell Flyer was given a best-price quote of 33/1 (Victor Chandler) for the Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle after maintaining his unbeaten record over timber in the Moscow Flyer Novice Hurdle.

Townend made all of the running and although he put the race to bed some way out on the 13/8 favourite, stablemate Earlson Gray closed to within a neck on his first run for the yard.

Mullins said: "I'm delighted with both horses. I brought Gagewell Flyer back to two miles to get more experience of a fast-run race into him and to get him jumping faster. He'll probably go for the Neptune Novice Hurdle at Cheltenham now."

Another with possible Festival aspirations is Some Target, who easily landed the Grand National Trial on his handicap debut. He is now quoted at as short as 16/1 for the four-mile National Hunt Chase at the Festival, but is still available at standout best-price 33/1 with Skybet.

Raptor was the fourth winner for Mullins and Townend in the Mianach Venture Capital Maiden Hurdle. Mullins said of his debutant: "I saw him in the parade ring in France and I thought he was a beautiful horse.

"At the same time, my wife Jackie saw him on the television and rang to ask me what the beautiful grey horse was, so we ended up buying him. He deserves an Albert Bartlett entry after that - he was only getting going at the end there."

Raptor can be backed at best-price 25/1 (Stan James) for the Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle.

Mullins will be hoping his red-hot form can continue to next Sunday when Kempes and Cooldine will line up in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Leopardstown.

After racing at Punchestown, they chased Dr PJ Moriarty Chase-bound Mikael D'Haguenet who also jumped nine fences under Townend.

Mullins said: "I was delighted with that and they all jumped well and the riders were very happy. Kempes and Cooldine will run next Sunday and the plan is to run Mikael D'Haguenet in the Moriarty along with Quel Esprit."

Away from the action, connections of Forpadydeplasterer yesterday revealed that they are still hopeful that their superstar chaser can return to the track in time for the 2011 Cheltenham Festival.

The Grade One-winning Irish raider pulled up in the King George VI Chase at Kempton two weeks ago and has been sick ever since, but trainer Tom Cooper believes that there is still hope for the 2009 Arkle winner.

Despite being found clinically abnormal after the King George, Cooper explained:

"He's very good this week. He's trotting round the roads now. Hopefully we'll see him run again this season, but we'll just sit tight for the minute. We'll keep the options at Cheltenham open for the time being."

Forpadydeplasterer has been entered in the Sportingbet.com Queen Mother Champion Chase, Ryanair Chase and totesport Gold Cup as the team behind the popular horse keep their Cheltenham Festival options open.

For the latest bookmakers free bets and Cheltenham Festival special offers click here.

Somersby may now be aimed at the Champion Chase following Big Zeb's defeat in Ireland yesterday

Festival Trials Day summary

Yesterday saw the final meeting at Prestbury Park before the 2011 Cheltenham Festival that takes place in just over 6 weeks (Tue 15th - Fri 18th March) and a near record crowd for the fixture of 17,086 witnessed some excellent racing.

As the name indicates, Festival Trials Day acts as a warm up for the main event and whilst many of the main protagonists for the Festival are already wrapped in cotton wool for their big day, it still provided plenty of clues for March. Below we review yesterday's big race action and the Festival market movers.

Without doubt the performance of the day was potential superstar Grands Crus who turned the competitive Grade 2 Cleeve Hurdle into a procession.

Trainer David Pipe's normally docile grey has a habit of being keen in his races and jockey Tom Scudamore’s hardest job was restraining the six-year-old, who cruised alongside the front-running Knockara Beau at the second-last and then came right away from the field to win by 10 lengths, although it could just as easily have been double that.

Knockara Beau battled on well after the final fight to keep second place, whilst Restless Harry also emerged with credit and a place in the World Hurdle is not a pipe-dream, especially in a truly run race.

Hitherto, Big Buck’s has looked invincible in the staying hurdle division, but even he might know he has been in race when he meets Grands Crus on St Patrick’s Day.

Pipe is not given to hyperbole, but he could not disguise the liking he has for the gelding owned by Roger Stanley and Yvonne Reynolds.

“Most dreams are shattered here, but he did it very nicely,” he said. “Roger will tell you, I’ve always had the highest regard for this horse and he’s proved it today.

"That was the World Hurdle without Big Buck’s and let’s hope they both get there in good form. I wouldn’t swap my horse for anything.”

The authoritative nature of his win (never off the bridle) resulted in bookmakers taking evasive action, with Grands Crus now best-price 3/1 (Bet365 and totesport) for the World Hurdle, whilst Stan James were impressed enough to push Big Buck’s out to best-price 5/6...what looked like a one-horse race is now a fascinating clash.

Bensalem is one other to take out of the race, with Alan King's talented performer a very solid fifth. He travelled well for a long way, hugging the inside rail, but just seemed to be caught a bit flat-footed coming down the hill. Connections will be delighted with the way he kept on and he looks sure to strip a lot fitter for the run; better awaits at the Festival, whether over hurdles or fences. He was travelling well when falling in the William Hill Chase 10 months ago and the corresponding race this year (now the Festival Handicap Chase) could be his target again.

The Grade 2 JCB Triumph Hurdle Trial used to be a shocking guide to the Festival race until Katchit completed the double in 2007, as the previous 16 winners to line up in the Triumph were beaten. Since Katchit however, two of the three winners were then second in the Triumph, so the trial is proving more effective these days and was won yesterday by Local Hero

Steve Gollings' gelding had beaten nothing of note in two hurdling runs at Wetherby and Doncaster but he had impressed on both occasions. He didn't jump spectacularly well here, making a bad mistake at the fifth flight and at the last, but he responded very gamely under pressure up the run-in.

He had actually jumped to the front at the last but found himself in a scrap with runner-up Third Intention, and he will have learnt plenty from the final fifty yards, the last twenty of which he quickened two lengths clear.

His trainer described him as a bit of a know-it-all, but it looks like he will have the services of McCoy, who has now won on all three starts on the juvenile and the best-price 20/1 (Victor Chandler) might therefore be seen as value by some, especially given the recent record of Triumph Hurdle trial winners.

Runner-up Third Intention is best-price 25/1 (totesport and Stan James) for the March renewal.

The big race of the day was the Grade 2 Argento Chase which featured five Gold Cup entries. However it should be noted that, despite a golden spell between 1995 and 2000 during which the race signposted three Gold Cup winners, 11 years have now passed since Looks Like Trouble, the last horse to run here before winning the big one at the Festival.

Yesterday it was won by Neptune Collonges, the veteran of three Gold Cups, under a canny ride from AP McCoy, who was allowed an easy lead. He appeared to have the race won three out when Punchestowns, came under pressure, but it proved far from the case.

Tidal Bay had been subjected to a charm offensive by Brian Hughes throughout the race. However, while the gelding’s response, as it was behind Imperial Commander in the Betfair Chase, came soon enough to make it interesting, it came too late to secure victory. Having been 100 yards behind the winner four out, he finished like a steam train up the hill to narrow the gap to a fast-dwindling length and a quarter at the line.

Third behind Denman in 2008 and fourth behind Kauto Star in 2009, Neptune Collonges can be backed at best-price 40/1 for the 2011 Gold Cup.

Tidal Bay is also now best-price 40/1 (Victor Chandler and William Hill) and funnier things have happened - Imperial Commander was also a narrow second in the Betfair Chase before he won the Gold Cup.

Punchestowns, the most likely Gold Cup contender before yesterday, finished 30 lengths back in third and is another who can be backed at best-price 40/1 (William Hill) for the 2011 renewal.

Another who really stamped his Festival claims yesterday was Bobs Worth who shortened to best-price 5/1 (Bet365) favourite for the Neptune Novices' Hurdle after beating Rock On Ruby by two and half lengths in the Neptune Novices’ Hurdle Trial.

It wasn't the fact that he won, but that he travelled with so much purpose, took being hampered in his stride, and then fended off a determined challenger after the last having been headed.

The runner-up, Rock On Ruby, also deserves a lot of credit - he still had several lengths to find after making a mistake two-out but, taking the step up in trip in his stride, he made up the ground and even jumped into the lead at the last with a flying leap.

However, Paul Nicholls' six-year-old then hung left throughout the run-in whilst the winner was aided by the rail. Had the runner-up kept to a truer line the margin of victory would have been significantly decreased.

Backspin, who lost his unbeaten record, travelled well at the head of affairs for a long way. He was generally very slick at his obstacles but he paid the price for being too keen early on (including on his way down to the start) and can now be backed at best-price 14/1 (totesport) for the Neptune, whilst Rock On Ruby is best-price 8/1 (Victor Chandler).

The Giant Bolster will head for the RSA Chase a fresh horse following his brave victory in the Timeform Novices' Handicap Chase. The six-year-old regained winning form after a fall in a race won by Time For Rupert at Prestbury Park last time out

David Bridgwater's flag-bearer made short shrift of top weight in an intriguing handicap over two miles and five furlongs to initiate a return to Cheltenham in March. He stayed on strongly under Rodi Greene to show why his trainer rates him so highly.

Bridgwater is keen to keep The Giant Bolster champing at the bit, however, and will resist the urge to run him again before the Festival.

"He's a lazy horse that needs to be kept interested, but we'll not go to the well before Cheltenham. I don't want to run him into the ground as he's best fresh," said the Stow-on-the-Wold handler, whose 466 winners as a jockey included five at the Festival.

He has now won two of his three races over fences, having gained an easy success at Worcester on his seasonal bow in October and Bridgwater thinks he has the potential to compete at the highest level in the long term, including the Cheltenham Gold Cup:

"He's a very, good horse. When he fell here last time, I'm not saying he would have beaten Time For Rupert – they think he's brilliant – but I think he'd definitely have been second to him.

"He's a brilliant jumper and was just travelling so well in behind last time that he just took his eye off the ball and tipped up, but there you go and we're back on track now."

"I don't have many runners here because I don't believe in running horses at a place like this if they're not good enough. But this horse will really really mix it and personally I think he'll go to the RSA with a right shout...he'll be a bigger price than he should be.

"He's not really an Aintree horse, so we'll probably just have one run and put him away. He's definitely got a future, though, and in a couple of years' time he should be some horse."

The Giant Bolster can currently be backed at best-price 25/1 for the RSA (Bet365).

Finally, Wishfull Thinking is now favourite for the new Jewson Novices' Chase at the Festival after his authoritative success in the Grade 3 Murphy Group Chase. The eight-year old is best-price 10/1 (Victor Chandler and totesport) for the Jewson although he can also be backed at best-price 16/1 (Victor Chandler) for the RSA Chase.

For the latest bookmakers free bets and special offers click here.

Grands Crus crushed his rivals in Cheltenham's Cleeve Hurdle yesterday

Mourad cements World Hurdle claims

Mourad cemented his position as Ireland's leading contender for the Ladbrokes World Hurdle when he blitzed his five rivals in the Galmoy Hurdle at Gowran Park yesterday.

Ridden by Paul Townend, the Willie Mullins-trained Mourad, who returned as 4/9 favourite, stormed clear at the last to defeat 25/1 outsider Moskova by six lengths.

Two-time winner Big Buck's remains a firm favourite for the World Hurdle, but Mourad was clipped to best-price 10/1 (Paddy Power) for the race.

Stan James, perhaps a little more impressed, offer only 8/1 on Mourad but are now offering the best-price available for Big Buck's at 4/6.

The firm's Charlie McCann said: "After Mourad's win in the Galmoy and with the progressive Grands Crus bidding to make the transition from handicapper to pattern-race performer in the Cleeve Hurdle [at Cheltenham] tomorrow, perhaps the World Hurdle is not the one-horse race some would have us believe."

Mourad, who was third to Zaynar in the 2009 Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, was having his third run over 3m and his record now reads two wins and one third.

Mullins, who had never won the Galmoy, said: "He seems to be improving and looks to be getting stronger with age. He did that on ground that I don't think he particularly likes and he'll be better on better ground.

"Paul was very cool on him. It looks like we are on track for the World Hurdle."

Meanwhile, Tony McCoy is looking forward to teaming up with Binocular in the Contenders Hurdle at Sandown next weekend ahead of his bid to retain his crown in the Stan James Champion Hurdle.

The 15-times champion jump jockey believes this season's renewal at the Cheltenham Festival is the best for many a year - and realises Nicky Henderson's charge will have to be at the top of his game if he is to record back-to-back wins in the big race.

He said: "I'm very much looking forward to it. I've won a Champion Hurdle on him, I love the horse and hopefully he can go back and win another one, but it won't be easy for him this time."

Binocular's preparation has gone well so far this winter, with the JP McManus-owned gelding following the same route as he did in the last campaign.

McCoy continued: "Cheltenham is getting close. Hopefully all the horses will get there in one piece.

"Binocular is a horse that won the Champion Hurdle last year. He's running in probably the best Champion Hurdle there has been for a long, long time.

"He's been pretty good since Kempton, touch wood. All is going well and the plan is to run him at Sandown before he goes to Cheltenham.

"He'll have run in the same three races (Fighting Fifth, Christmas Hurdle and Contenders Hurdle) he did before he won at Cheltenham last year. The plan is for him to go to Sandown and all being well he'll do that."

Binocular is currently best-price 3/1 (Bet365) for the Champion Hurdle.

Mourad is now clear second-favourite for the 2011 World Hurdle

Novices Chase entries - analysis

Entries for the Festival novice chases, including the new Jewson Novices’ Chase, were announced earlier today and we take a look at the leading contenders for all four races:

ARKLE CHASE

Finian’s Rainbow and Ghizao head the ante-post markets ahead of the Grade One Arkle Chase on Tuesday, March 15, and both are among the 34 entries for the championship contest for two-mile novice chasers at the Festival.

Finian’s Rainbow, impressive in his two victories at Newbury this term, is one of five entries for trainer Nicky Henderson, who is seeking a fourth win in the race following on from the brilliant Remittance Man (1991), Travado (1993) and Tiutchev (2000).

The trainer has also engaged the mare Nadiya De La Vega and fellow French import Surfing, who was third to Ghizao at Newbury in December.

Ghizao saw off the Philip Hobbs-trained Captain Chris to easily win the Grade Two Independent Newspaper Novices’ Chase over the course and distance at The Open in November and was again superior to that rival when winning over an extended two and a quarter miles at Newbury in December.

The seven-year-old is one of three entries for champion trainer Paul Nicholls, along with Robinson Collonges and Pepe Simo. Nicholls saddled Flagship Uberalles (1999) and Azertyuiop (2003) to land the prize.

The last two renewals have gone to Irish-trained runners and the Noel Meade-trained Realt Dubh has taken Ireland’s two-mile novice division by storm this season. The Derek Sharkey-owned seven-year-old is seeking a Grade One hat-trick after seeing off the Paul Nolan-trained Noble Prince to win both the Bord Na Mona With Nature Novices’ Chase and the Frank Ward Solicitors Arkle Novices’ Chase, and is one of 10 entries from the Emerald Isle.

Willie Mullins has engaged Mikael d’Haguenet, winner of the Grade One Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle at the 2009 Festival but yet to make an impact over fences, as well as Quel Esprit, Grade Three winner Blazing Tempo and Morning Supreme.

Edward O’Grady was successful with Ventana Canyon in 1996 and has Bord Na Mona With Nature Novices’ Chase third, Torphichen, entered this year.

Surrey trainer Alan Fleming has an interesting entry in the form of top-notch hurdler Starluck, who is yet to jump a fence in public and was last seen finishing third to reigning Stan James Champion hurdler Binocular in the Grade One Christmas Hurdle at Kempton.

Alan King enjoyed back-to-back Arkle Chase glories with Voy Por Ustedes (2006) and My Way De Solzen (2007). The Barbury Castle trainer has entered high-class hurdler Medermit, runner-up to Hell’s Bay in the Grade Two Tigmi Travel Dipper Novices’ Chase over two miles, five furlongs at Cheltenham on January 1.

The Colin Tizzard-trained Kilmurry defeated Ghizao by 11 lengths at Cheltenham’s The Showcase in October but was only fourth to that rival at The Open on his latest start.

Mamlook won the totesport Chester Cup on the Flat in May and opened his chase account at the first attempt at Fakenham on January 17 for trainer David Pipe, while the Jonjo O’Neill-trained Rock Noir held the Hobbs-trained Keki Buku to score his second chase win at Warwick on December 31.

Evan Williams has entered three of his string, headed by the well-regarded Phidippides, a winner at Ludlow in November but found wanting over three miles at Leicester this month.

West With The Wind completed a hat-trick of novice chase wins at Ffos Las in the summer, while William’s Wishes is two from two over fences after victories at Leicester and Ludlow in the autumn.

Arkle Chase leading contender best prices:

Finians Rainbow 5/1 (totesport)
Ghizao 11/2 (Sportingbet)
Realt Dubh 12/1 (Victor Chandler)
Medermit 14/1 (Victor Chandler)
Captain Chris 20/1 (Victor Chandler)
Noble Prince 20/1 (William Hill)
Mikael DHaguenet 20/1 (totesport)
Surfing 25/1 (Sportingbet)
Quel Esprit 25/1 (William Hill)
Nadiya De La Vega 28/1 (Sportingbet)
Starluck 33/1 (William Hill)
Rock Noir 33/1 (totesport)

For the latest bookmakers free bets and special offers click here.

NATIONAL HUNT CHASE

Staged over four miles for amateur riders, the 141st Year Of The National Hunt Chase on Wednesday, March 16, is the oldest race at The Festival and this year the contest has attracted 76 entries.

Jonjo O’Neill has saddled five winners of the race (1995 Front Line, 2002 Rith Dubh, 2003 Sudden Shock, 2004 Native Emperor, 2007 Butler’s Cabin) and is well-represented among the entries with the promising quartet of Aberdale, recent Wetherby scorer Alfie Sherrin, Born Again, and Galaxy Rock.

Ian Williams has entered the exciting Wayward Prince, a Grade One winner over hurdles at Aintree last season who has won both his starts over fences, defeating Aberdale at Huntingdon and Balthazar King at The Open at Cheltenham.

Chicago Grey is prominent in the ante-post betting for trainer Gordon Elliott. The eight-year-old saw off the Paul Nicholls trained Picture This to land a novice chase at Cheltenham in October, was runner-up to Time For Rupert at the course in December and finished a close fifth to Bostons Angel in a Grade One at Leopardstown last time.

Elliott has also entered Ballymak and smart Down Royal winner Tharawaat, while also among the 27 Irish-trained entries is the Charles Byrnes-trained Alfa Beat, aiming for a six-timer after winning the Guinness Kerry National in September.

Magnanimity defeated Grade One winner Jessies Dream when winning the Grade Two Killiney Novice Chase at Leopardstown on January 9 for trainer Dessie Hughes, while the Willie Mullins-trained Quel Esprit saw off Torphichen at Limerick last time and the Colm Murphy-trained Quito De La Roque annexed the Grade Two Woodlands Park 100 Club Novices’ Chase from Western Charmer, having finished runner-up to Bostons Angel at Leapardstown in December.

Ferdy Murphy, who has twice saddled the winner (2006 Hot Weld, 2010 Poker De Sivola), could bid for another victory with the experienced Nine De Sivola, still a maiden over fences in Britain but third in the race two years ago, and Only The Best.

The Charlie Longsdon-trained Minella Boys was a fine second to West End Rocker in the Grade Three Classic Chase at Warwick on January 15, while the David Pipe-trained Sona Sasta is unbeaten in two starts over fences following easy wins at Taunton and Newbury.

Beshabar, from the Tim Vaughan stable, was a classy hurdler and was unlucky to have been brought down on his chase debut at The Open, in the race won by Wayward Prince.

The Nicky Henderson-trained Quantitativeeasing scored at Fontwell on January 7, while Nigel Twiston-Davies, successful in 2009 with Tricky Trickster, could run Major Malarkey, who held the Paul Nicholls-trained Promising Anshan to win at Newbury in December.

Henry Daly took the National Hunt Chase with Relaxation in 2000 and he has engaged a promising contender in the form of Hereford beginners’ chase winner Pearlysteps.

Donald McCain has entered Glenwood Knight, victorious on heavy going at Uttoxeter in December, and recent Towcester scorer Chamirey, while the Philip Hobbs trained Triggerman could line up alongside stablemate Voramar Two, runner-up to Aiteen Thirtythree in the Grade Two GPG Novices’ Chase at Newbury in November.

Also among the entries are the Nicholls-trained Watamu Bay, the Paul Nolan-trained Sam Adams, the Howard Johnson trained On His Own and the Kim Bailey trained pair of Regal Approach and Sonny Mullen.

National Hunt Chase leading contender best prices:

Chicago Grey 7/1 (Skybet)
Alfa Beat 10/1 (Bet365)
Aiteen Thirtythree 10/1 (Victor Chandler)
Magnanimity 14/1 (William Hill)
Quito De La Roque 14/1 (Bet365)
Beshabar 14/1 (William Hill)
Watamu Bay 14/1 (Skybet)
Wayward Prince 14/1 (Stan James)
Chamirey 16/1 (William Hill)
Alfie Sherrin 16/1 (Paddy Power)
Gonebeyondrecall 16/1 (Paddy Power)
Quantitativeeasing 16/1 (Victor Chandler)
Quel Esprit 16/1 (Victor Chandler)

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RSA CHASE

The Grade One RSA Chase is the premier staying contest for novice chasers at the Festival and has been won in recent times by the likes of 2008 Cheltenham Gold Cup
winner Denman (2007) and last season’s Ryanair Chase hero Albertas Run (2008).

The 51 entries for this year’s race, run on Wednesday, March 16, are of the highest standard yet again.

Last season’s Grade One World Hurdle runner-up Time For Rupert, trained by Paul Webber, has made a great start to his chasing career with an eight-length debut victory over Hell’s Bay at Cheltenham’s The Open in November and an equally smooth success from Chicago Grey over an extended three miles and a furlong at the track on December 11 during The International.

Another potential star of the British scene is the Ian Williams-trained Wayward Prince, a Grade One-winning novice hurdler last term, who is also two from two over fences, his most recent win coming over an extended three miles at The Open.

The Colin Tizzard-trained Hell’s Bay franked Time For Rupert’s form with success in the Grade Two Tigmi Travel Dipper Novices’ Chase over two miles, five furlongs at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day, a race in which Reve De Sivola was third. The latter had previously defeated Grade Two Rising Star Novices’ Chase winner Wishfull Thinking in the Injured Jockeys’ Fund Oaksey House Novices’ Chase over the same distance at Cheltenham in December.

Jessies Dream defeated subsequent dual Grade One winner Realt Dubh when winning he Grade One Drinmore Novice Chase over two and a half miles at Fairyhouse in December for trainer Gordon Elliott, but was unable to concede 7lb to Magnanimity when less than a length second to Dessie Hughes’ charge in the Grade Two Killiney Novice Chase at Leopardstown on January 9.

The Jessica Harrington-trained Bostons Angel is another Grade One winner among the 3 Irish-trained entries, having won the Fort Leney Novice Chase over three miles at eopardstown in December from the subsequent Grade Two Woodlands Park 100 Club Novice hase winner Quito De La Roque, trained by Colm Murphy.

Berties Dream tasted Festival glory last season in the Grade One Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle, while Mikael D’Haguenet looked to be a superstar in the making when winning the Grade One Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle at The Festival in 2009. Neither horse has as yet made an impact over fences.

Willie Mullins has landed the RSA Chase three times (1998 Florida Pearl, 2004 Rule
Supreme, 2009 Cooldine) and as well as Mikael D’Haguenet, his five entries include the promising Quel Esprit and the mare Blazing Tempo, whose unbeaten record over fences consists of a brace of Grade Three wins.

Paul Nicholls has engaged five candidates including The Minack, who defeated Bouggler on his chase debut at Wincanton on January 8, as well as Aiteen Thirtythree, victorious in the Grade Two GPG Novices’ Chase at Newbury in November from Voramar Two.

Donald McCain has entered the well-regarded Wymott, who defeated Wayward Prince in a Grade Two novice hurdle last term and also boasts a perfect record over fences, alongside Glenwood Knight and Chamirey, while Nicky Henderson has engaged recent Towcester victor Rackham Lerouge.

Others of note include the J P McManus-owned Alfie Sherrin and Bob Lingo, as well as the Jim Dreaper-trained Royal De La Thinte, Thegreatjohnbrowne from the Noel Meade yard, the Elliott-trained Ballymak and Tharawaat, the Hughes-trained Western Charmer, the Paul Nolan-trained Sam Adams, The Giant Bolster from David Bridgwater’s stable and the Hobbs trained Tarablaze.

RSA Chase leading contender best prices:

Time For Rupert 11/4 (Sportingbet)
Jessies Dream 14/1 (Sportingbet)
Quel Esprit 14/1 (Bet365)
Wymott 16/1 (Paddy Power)
Mikael DHaguenet 16/1 (Stan James)
Wayward Prince 20/1 (Sportingbet)
Reve De Sivola 20/1 (Skybet)
Hells Bay 20/1 (totesport)
Magnanimity 20/1 (Sportingbet)
Beshabar 20/1 (totesport)
Aiteen Thirtythree 20/1 (Sportingbet)
Quito De La Roque 20/1 (William Hill)

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JEWSON NOVICES CHASE

The inaugural Grade Two Jewson Novices’ Chase sees a fantastic 65-strong entry for the two-mile, four-furlong contest, which takes place on St Patrick’s Day, Thursday, March 17.

Two of Ireland’s top novices are among those entries. The Gordon Elliott-trained
Jessies Dream held the Noel Meade-trained Realt Dubh when landing the Grade One Drinmore Novice Chase at Fairyhouse in December, and the latter has gone on to collect a brace of top level triumphs at two miles in the Bord Na Mona With Nature Novice Chase and the Frank Ward Solicitors Arkle Novice Chase.

There are 19 Irish-trained entries in total with Ireland’s champion trainer Willie
Mullins responsible for six, including Grade Three victor Blazing Tempo and the useful Quel Esprit, who defeated the Edward O’Grady-trained Torphichen at Limerick in November.

Meade’s Thegreatjohnbrowne held Elliott’s Tharawaat in a Punchestown Grade Three contest in November but the latter scored at Down Royal on his latest start, while the Michael Hourigan-trained Grade Two winner Mr Cracker was third to Realt Dubh in the Irish Arkle at Leopardstow last time and the Henry de Bromhead-trained Loosen My Load was fourth in the Bord Na Mona With Nature Novice Chase.

Wymott was a Grade Two-winning novice hurdler last term and is unbeaten in two starts over fences at Exeter and Bangor this season for trainer Donald McCain, while the Philip Hobbs-trained Wishfull Thinking benefited from the fall of the Paul Nicholls-trained Robinson Collonges to win the Grade Two Rising Stars Novices’ Chase at Wincanton in November.

Wishfull Thinking was subsequently beaten by the Nick Williams-trained Reve De Sivola, a dual Grade One-winning novice hurdler last season, over the course and distance at Cheltenham in December.

Reve De Sivola was in turn no match for the Colin Tizzard-trained Hell’s Bay, who landed the Grade Two Dipper Novices’ Chase over two miles, five furlongs at Cheltenham on January 1, with the Alan King-trained Medermit second and Williams’ charge back in third.

Tizzard has also entered Kilmurry, who defeated Ghizao over two miles at Cheltenham in October.

Nicholls saddled Royal Charm to land a brace of novice chase wins at Exeter and the British champion trainer’s five entries also include The Minack, who made a pleasing chasing debut with victory over the Emma Lavelle-trained Bouggler at Wincanton on January 8.

The Jonjo O’Neill-trained Alfie Sherrin was impressive when opening his chasing account at Wetherby on January 24, while stablemate Rock Noir has won two of his four starts over fences.

Nicky Henderson has his powerful string in cracking form this season and he has
eight entries including Newbury handicap chase winner Aigle D’Or, impressive recent Huntingdon scorer Mr Gardner, easy Towcester victor Rackham Lerouge, useful French import Surfing and Nadiya De La Vega, victorious over Pepe Simo at Kempton on January 15.

The Paul Webber-trained Cois Farraig was below par behind Hell’s Bay on New Year’s Day but had previously seen off the Alan Fleming-trained On Borrowed Wings to win a Grade Two contest at Newbury in November.

Others of note include Songe, Hidden Keel, Sarando, Pearlysteps, The Giant Bolster, the Evan Williams-trained trio of Phidippides, West With The Wind and
William’s Wishes, and the Ado McGuinness-trained Beau Michael.

Jewson Novices Chase leading contender best prices:

Medermit 10/1 (Bet365)
Noble Prince 14/1 (Stan James)
Loosen My Load 14/1 (totesport)
Captain Chris 14/1 (Stan James)
Hells Bay 14/1 (Paddy Power)
Quel Esprit 14/1 (Victor Chandler)
Reve De Sivola 16/1 (totesport)
Nadiya De La Vega 16/1 (Victor Chandler)
Realt Dubh 16/1 (Paddy Power)
Jessies Dream 16/1 (totesport)
Rebel Du Maquis 16/1 (Victor Chandler)
Alfie Sherrin 20/1 (Stan James)
Surfing 20/1 (Bet365)
Wymott 20/1 (Bet365)

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Medermit is best-price 10/1 favourite for the new Jewson Novices Chase

Grandouet new favourite for Triumph Hurdle

Nicky Henderson's promising novice hurdler Grandouet has got jockey Barry Geraghty excited ahead of the Cheltenham Festival.

The Seven Barrows resident suffered defeat on his first two starts following his move across the English Channel. However, after winning at Newbury, the progressive four-year-old was then impressive at Ascot last Saturday and is now clear Triumph Hurdle favourite at best-price 7/1 (Bet365 and Victor Chandler).

Henderson has attributed the use of ear plugs as part cause for his steady improvement. The trainer said: "You'd have to like what he's done. At first he was far too keen, so we put the earplugs that he wore in France back in and now he's much more settled."

And Geraghty has no fears about Grandouet encountering quick ground at Cheltenham in March despite his both his wins at Ascot and Newbury being on rain-softened ground.

His three runs in France also came on very soft and heavy ground and the only time he has finished out of the front three in seven starts was when he was fifth at Wetherby on his British debut on good ground.

"He has plenty of pace so he would go on any ground - he is very versatile," Geraghty said. Reflecting on Saturday's performance, when he came home six lengths clear of his nearest rival, Geraghty continued: "I think he was very good. He settled beautifully - he has been keen in the past.

"He jumped very professionally and won as easy as you have ever seen him win - he could do no more than win and that is all he did.

"It was very easy for him and he is definitely going the right way. I think he has improved since he was second to Sam Winner at Cheltenham so he is definitely going the right way."

Meanwhile, Mr Moonshine looks to have guaranteed himself a run at the Cheltenham Festival after turning in a most impressive performance in the Pertemps Handicap Hurdle at Huntingdon earlier today.

Sue Smith has enjoyed just one previous success at National Hunt racing's showpiece meeting, with Mister McGoldrick's determined victory back in 2008 leaving the Bingley trainer holding back the tears.

Sent off at 16/1 having been beaten in a novice chase on his last start in November, the front-running Mr Moonshine had most of his rivals in trouble a long way from home and was heavily eased by Henry Oliver in scoring by four lengths.

"If it hadn't been for all the bad weather in the North and all the abandonments, he probably would have been novice chasing," said Smith.

"But because of all that we thought we'd run him back over hurdles and he's done it so well I think he deserves to take his chance in the Pertemps Final in Cheltenham. It wasn't the most competitive qualifier in the country, but he could do more than go and win like he has."

The seven-year-old can be backed at best-price 20/1 (Paddy Power) for the Triumph Hurdle in March. For the latest bookmakers free bets and special offers click here.

Grandouet is clear 7/1 favourite for the Triumph Hurdle

Dunguib to get Festival handicap option

Stan James Champion Hurdle hope Dunguib may be entered in the Coral Cup, trainer Philip Fenton revealed today.

Dunguib is as short as 14/1 for the Champion Hurdle despite having not raced since last April, after missing his intended seasonal reappearance in last Sunday's Irish Champion Hurdle through a slight illness.

Connections intend to start him in the Red Mills Trial Hurdle at Gowran Park on February 12, but Fenton indicated today that he might not even be ready for that contest:

"He will do a bit of work on Saturday, but we're beginning to panic a little bit that he won't be ready for the Red Mills and we won't be able to run him before Cheltenham," he said.

Added to that worry, Fenton also said that his charge, who won the 2008 Weatherbys Champion Bumper impressively and finished third in last year's Spinal Research Supreme Novices' Hurdle, may not even run in the Champion Hurdle.

He said: "The form of his runs last year is still fairly solid. Whether it's Champion Hurdle form is another question but all along we've had great belief in this horse.

"Two and a half miles in the Red Mills will be the furthest he has gone and we could go for the Coral Cup [over 2m5f] after."

The eight-year-old has been added to the Coral Cup markets by Bet365 and William Hill who both offer odds of 14/1.

Elsewhere today, trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies revealed that Gold Cup champion Imperial Commander is working perfectly towards the defence of his crown in March.

Last year's winner is to head direct to the Cheltenham Festival after just the one race this season, November's Betfair Chase, after missing the King George VI Chase due to an infection which took hold in a near-fore cut sustained in the Betfair.

After the December 26 King George meeting was lost to frost Twiston-Davies said Imperial Commander could have made the rearranged January 15 date, but with the race not being re-opened has instead focused on getting his charge ready for the Festival.

Twiston-Davies said: "He's 100 per cent, not a bother on him. There's nearly seven weeks to the Gold Cup and he is bang on course."

Imperial Commander is best-price 7/2 (Bet365) favourite for the Gold Cup on Friday 18th March.

Another Gold Cup hopeful, Pandorama, is a doubt for the blue-riband event after x-rays revealed that he had bruised a hock after getting cast in his box earlier this week.

Pandorama's condition will be re-assessed by trainer Noel Meade's vets on Monday and the trainer said: "He appears to be comfortable and we are all very hopeful that he will be okay to resume training in the near future."

Because of the setback Pandorama, winner of the Grade 1 Lexus Chase at Leopardstown last month and Ireland's leading hope for the Gold Cup, will miss the Hennessy Gold Cup, for which he was favourite, at Leopardstown on February 6.

The eight-year-old is still as short as 12/1 for the Gold Cup but can be backed at best-price 20/1 (888sport).

One horse who will certainly missing the Festival is Flat Out, who has been ruled out for the remainder of the season by trainer Willie Mullins after sustaining an injury at Leopardstown on Sunday.

The six-year-old had been as short as 10/1 with for the Arkle Chase at the Cheltenham Festival after making a successful chasing debut at Punchestown.

However, his second start in the Irish Arkle on Sunday ended with him hitting the penultimate fence and unseating his jockey when still travelling well. And after investigation by the vet, Flat Out was found to have injured a hind leg.

Mullins said: "He has a little chip fracture on a hind leg and is out for the season."

Meanwhile, connections of Dare Me face a race against time in an attempt to get another run into him before the Festival.

Philip Hobbs' seven-year-old is unbeaten over hurdles after finishing sixth behind Cue Card in the Champion Bumper last March and second in the Aintree equivalent.

He is likely to be given entries in both the Supreme Novices' Hurdle and the Neptune Investment Novices' Hurdle, but whether he runs beforehand is unclear.

"I'm not sure if he'll go straight there. He had a bit of a muscle problem behind and he's back cantering now," said Michael Meagher, owner Trevor Hemmings' racing manager.

"He's back in training and we'll try to get a run into him beforehand if we can, but we'll just have to see."

Dare Me is best-price 25/1 for both the Supreme (Paddy Power) and Neptune (totesport). For the latest bookmakers free bets and special offers click here.

2009 Champion Bumper winner, Dunguib, may contest the Coral Cup in March

Hurricane Fly cut for Champion Hurdle

An eventful Irish Champion Hurdle day at Leopardstown yesterday provided plenty of clues for Cheltenham with various winners on the card cut for their Festival targets.

Chief among them was Hurricane Fly in the Irish Champion Hurdle, whose victory over four rivals resulted in him closing in on Binocular at the head of the market for the Stan James-sponsored Champion Hurdle.

It could be argued that in winning the Irish Champion, Hurricane Fly didn’t tell us anything new. Indeed, he has beaten Solwhit in their last four meetings now, and he will face an altogether sterner test when locking horns with the likes of Binocular, Menorah and Peddlers Cross in the spring.

However, it was hard not to be impressed with the gelding, as he is a slick hurdler who possesses a potent turn of foot and whilst most of his racing has been on easy surfaces, he has shown great verstatility by winning on going ranging from good to firm right through to heavy. He has a fairly quick action and possesses so much natural speed, therefore if the ground is on the fast side of good at the Festival he could be seen in an even better light.

The seven-year-old is now best-price 9/2 (Bet365 and Victor Chandler) for the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham, which takes place in just 50 days.

Another horse that impressed on the card at Leopardstown was Realt Dubh, who delivered a spirited display to see off Noble Prince in the Arkle Novice Chase, registering his second Grade 1 win over fences in the process.

Last spring when both Realt Dubh and Noble Prince were plying their trade over hurdles, the latter was rated around 13lb superior to Noel Meade’s charge, which serves as an illustration of how much Real Dubh has improved since switched to fences.

The pair were cut for the Cheltenham equivalent, with Realt Dubh now best-price 14/1 (Paddy Power) and Noble Prince best-price 20/1 (888sport) for the Arkle.

Earlier on the card, Day Of A Lifetime's success in the opener saw him earn a best-price quotes of 20/1 (Stan James) for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle.

Willie Mullins' charge, a major disappointment in the Championship Bumper last March, was making his debut over timber in the Frank Conroy Memorial Maiden Hurdle and ran out a smooth winner.

Mullins said: "He blew it at Cheltenham but has always shown a lot at home. He needs to improve his jumping which was not fast enough. We'll try to get another run into him before Cheltenham but it may not be possible to run him again before the Festival."

Realt Dubh holds off Noble Prince in a Leopardstown thriller yesterday

Master Minded on the drift

Master Minded drifted for the sportingbet.com Queen Mother Champion Chase after a narrow victory under Tony McCoy in the Victor Chandler Chase at Ascot yesterday.

A short-head margin over Somersby was enough for Paul Nicholls' star to drift to best-price 5/2 (Victor Chandler), with many promoting Big Zeb into favouritism.

Master Minded scraped home by the skin of his teeth as Somersby, who was in front just yards after the line, came of age with a career best performance. Master Minded had travelled comfortably behind the early pace setters and produced a fine leap to jump alongside the leaders at the eighth and was in front at the ninth at which stage he could have been expected to go further and further clear and McCoy did take a look between his legs going into the second last.

He looked leg-weary going to the last though and it was to his credit that he was able to produce a fine leap at that fence and that probably made the difference between victory and defeat as he was all out to the line. This was far from impressive but the yard has been going through a quieter spell than usual whilst McCoy felt that he made too much use of him coming out of Swinley Bottom and that Master Minded tired on the ground.

Arkle runner-up Somersby ran his best race of the season with a sterling performance that bodes well for the future. He had made mistakes in the Haldon Gold Cup on his reappearance and made a bad mistake when third behind Master Minded at Cheltenham last time but he jumped fluently here and landed running after the last to throw down a sustained challenge with his customary strong finishing effort.

His performance certainly caught the eye and he is now best-price 10/1 (888sport) for the Champion Chase. Henrietta Knight's charge also has the Ryanair Chase as an option at the Festival for which he is as short as 7/2, although he can still be backed at standout best-price 6/1 (Skybet) for that race.

Kalahari King was almost carried off the track a riderless horse, but he stayed on really well to take fourth place and Ferdy Murphy is targeting the Ryanair Chase for his stable stalwart. Having finished third behind Big Zeb in the Queen Mother Champion Chase last March, Murphy feels the step up in trip will suit:

"He was unlucky at Ascot. We're not sure where he would have finished up, but Graham (Lee) said they got racing too soon at Swinley Bottom and he still had plenty of horse under him," said the West Witton trainer.

"He reckoned he lost about 40 lengths when the horse carried him across the track. He has really run on up the straight and we're very pleased with him. Graham said it was the best feel he got off him since he won at Doncaster last February. He jumped fantastic. Graham said he travelled great.

"He's grand. We had him in the indoor school at seven o'clock on Sunday morning and he had a nice roll. I'd imagine he'd go straight for the Ryanair now."

Kalahari King is currently best-price 16/1 (totesport and Paddy Power) for the Ryanair.

Meanwhile, Grandouet is now a clear favourite for the JCB Triumph Hurdle after winning earlier on the Ascot card.

Nicky Henderson's French import has looked a vastly improved performer since settling better having been re-fitted with the earplugs that he wore in France. He eased alongside the front-running Two Kisses between the last two hurdles and came six lengths clear without being extended.

The four-year-old is set to run in the Adonis Hurdle at Kempton next month before heading to Cheltenham and is now best-price 7/1 (Bet365) for the Triumph Hurdle.

Also at Ascot, Sparky May continued her relentless progress with a Grade Two victory.

Pat Rodford's star was unbeaten in three novice hurdles this term coming into the Mares' Hurdle and simply ran her rivals ragged under Keiran Burke.

In in complete command turning in and despite beginning to tire going to the final hurdle, found plenty on the run-in to slam even-money favourite Carole's Legacy by four lengths.

Rodford said: "She must be a freak. Her mother raced in the US where she was unsuccessful, and owner Bill Muddyman sent me her (Glassy Appeal) and two other mares to breed from.

"Just occasionally you get a horse that defies all logic and here you have one. We will now go for the David Nicholson race at Cheltenham."

She can now be backed at best-price 8/1 (888sport) for the David Nicholson Mares' Hurdle at Cheltenham in March.

Away from Ascot, earlier in the week, last season's Champion Bumper second Al Ferof made it third time lucky over hurdles in impressive style at Taunton to set himself up for a crack at the Cheltenham Festival.

The six-year-old, who runs in the colours of John Hales and is trained by Paul Nicholls, can be backed at best-price 20/1 (Bet365) for the Neptune Novices Hurdle and best-price 16/1 (Stan James) for the Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle.

Master Minded beat Somersby at Ascot but drifted to best-price 5/2 for the Champion Chase

World Hurdle entries - analysis

A bumper 46 entries were revealed for the World Hurdle yesterday and Big Buck's is on course to emulate Inglis Drever and become only the second horse to win the Ladbrokes World Hurdle three times and the first to win the contest in three consecutive years.

The Paul Nicholls-trained eight-year-old has made the three-mile hurdling division his own over the past two years, having been undefeated in 10 starts over the smaller obstacles since unseating Sam Thomas in the 2008 Hennessy Gold Cup.

All bookmakers are running scared of Big Buck's with only 4/7 available across the board, aside from Sportingbet who offer best-price 3/5. A bet of £500 to make £300 profit might still be seen as buying money by many punters.

Nicky Henderson has already spoiled the party for one of Nicholls’ stable stars this season as he saddled Long Run to beat Kauto Star in last weekend’s William Hill King George VI Chase and a quartet of entries from the Seven Barrows handler includes the 2009 runner-up Punchestowns, who has gone on to Grade One glory over fences, and the 2009 Grade One JCB Triumph Hurdle hero Zaynar.

Punchestowns is best-price 12/1 (totesport) and Zaynar best-price 16/1 (Stan James).

Last year’s Grade Three Coral Cup victor Spirit River and impressive recent Cheltenham winner Oscar Whisky may also line up for Henderson, who has previously landed the Ladbrokes World Hurdle with Rustle (1989) and Bacchanal (2000).

Spirit River can be backed at best-price 40/1 (Victor Chandler), whilst Oscar Whisky is best-price 14/1 (Paddy Power).

A quartet from the stable of Alan King, successful in 2006 with My Way De Solzen, includes Karabak, who got the better of the Donald McCain-trained Any Given Day in the Grade Two Unicoin Homes Relkeel Hurdle at The International in December. The eight-year-old is currently best-price 16/1 (Bet365).

King has also entered Irish Grade One runner-up Bensalem, the Relkeel Hurdle third Shalone and Walkon, who triumphed in a Grade One Hurdle at Aintree on his latest start in April, 2009. They are best-price 25/1 (Bet365), 66/1 (Bet365) and 40/1 (Victor Chandler) respectively.

Madison Du Berlais was the last horse to beat Big Buck’s in the 2008 Hennessy Gold Cup and his owners Roger Stanley and Yvonne Reynolds will be hoping that lightning can strike twice with their progressive hurdler Grand Crus, who followed up an impressive handicap hurdle success at The Open in November with a facile victory in a Listed fixed brush handicap hurdle at Haydock later the same month. The six-year-old is currently best-price 12/1 (Bet365).

The six-year-old’s trainer David Pipe may also be represented by Grade Two winner Ashkazar, who returned to form with a game success in a Cheltenham handicap hurdle on New Year’s Day and can be backed at best-price 25/1 (Paddy Power).

A record 15 Irish-trained entries includes six contenders from the stable of Willie Mullins, headed by a three previous Festival winners. Quevega has posted a pair of impressive wins in the previous two renewals of the Grade Two David Nicholson Mares’ Hurdle and took the Grade One Ladbrokes.com World Series Hurdle on her latest start at Punchestown in April. She can be backed at best-price 12/1 (Sportingbet) for the World Hurdle.

Fiveforthree also triumphed in the Punchestown showpiece for staying hurdlers in 2009 and the injury-plagued nine-year-old had previously scored in the Grade One Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle at The Festival in 2008, a race that Mullins also captured with Mikael D’Haguenet the following year. They can be backed at best-price 33/1 (Stan James) and 20/1 (totesport) respectively.

Last season’s Grade One Punchestown Champion Novice Hurdle winner Blackstairmountain, Grade Two Leopardstown Christmas Hurdle victor Mourad and Thousand Stars, successful in the Grade Three Vincent O’Brien County Handicap Hurdle at last year’s Festival, complete the formidable potential challenge from the Irish champion trainer.

The Charles Byrnes-trained Solwhit, whose six Grade One victories include when successful over two and a half miles in the John Smith’s Aintree Hurdle in April, 2009, may step up to three miles for the first time in his career, while Paul Gilligan has entered last season’s Grade One Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle winner Berties Dream.

Three-time Grade Two victor Luska Lad may line up for John “Shark” Hanlon and he could be joined by perennial Cheltenham raider Powerstation, who has been third in the past two renewals of the Ladbrokes World Hurdle for trainer Eamon O’Connell.

Paul Nolan has given an entry to Shinrock Paddy, who landed a Grade One Hurdle as a novice last season, while Edward O’Grady, who has twice been successful in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle with Flame Gun (1978) and Mountrivers (1980), may be represented by the 2008 Grade One Hatton’s Grace Hurdle winner Catch Me and Grade Two victor Rigour Back Bob.

Fellow Hatton’s Grace Hurdle scorer Oscar Dan Dan, from the stable of Tom Mullins, and the Dessie Hughes-trained Rick complete the potential Irish challenge.

Khyber Kim, trained locally by Nigel Twiston-Davies, found only Binocular too strong in last year’s Stan James Champion Hurdle and the nine-year-old could step back up in trip after ending last term with a facile win over two and a half miles in the Grade One Aintree Hurdle.

Apart from Big Buck’s, Nicholls may also run Organisateur, runner-up to the Nick Williams-trained James De Vassy in Kempton’s Lanzarote Handicap Hurdle last weekend, and Celestial Halo, who won the 2008 JCB Triumph Hurdle and went down by a neck to Punjabi in the following year’s Champion Hurdle.

Arcalis may return to the scene of his greatest triumph for trainer Howard Johnson, having triumphed in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle in 2005, while Cheltenham specialist Fair Along could make a sixth consecutive appearance at the Festival for trainer Philip Hobbs, who has also entered Duke Of Lucca.

Restless Harry has shown good form around Prestbury Park for Robin Dickin, scoring in the Grade Two Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle at last year’s Festival Trials Day, while the Peter Bowen-trained Souffleur also boasts Grade Two-winning form, having triumphed in the Rendlesham Hurdle at Haydock last season.

Restless Harry is currently best-price 33/1 (Bet365) and Souffleur can be backed at best-price 40/1 (Skybet).

French import Cristal Bonus, a Grade One runner-up at Auteuil in November, was fifth behind Menorah in the Grade Two StanJames.com International Hurdle on his debut for Evan Williams. The Emma Lavelle-trained Highland Valley was fourth in the Grade Two Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle at the same meeting.

Mobaasher was third behind Katchit in the 2007 JCB Triumph Hurdle prior to joining Venetia Williams and he may line up against another horse formerly trained by Paul Nicholls, Beshabar, who won a Grade Three handicap hurdle for the champion trainer before moving on to the stable of Tim Vaughan.

A pair of entries from Jennie Candlish consists of Barafundle and Cross Kennon, who took the Listed Jardine Lloyd Thompson Handicap Hurdle at The Open, while last year’s JCB Triumph Hurdle fifth Barwell Bridge could also return to Cheltenham for Warren Greatrex.

The Martin Keighley-trained Benbane Head, The Giant Bolster, from the stable of David Bridgwater, and Le Beau Bai, third in the 2009 Welsh National for Richard Lee, complete the entry.

Big Buck's is best-price 3/5 to win the 2011 World Hurdle

No Long Run before Cheltenham

It is "highly unlikely" King George VI Chase hero Long Run will run again before the Cheltenham Festival.

The youngster dethroned multiple champion Kauto Star with a brilliant display at Kempton on Saturday and the official handicapper believes the horse improved on his previous performance by about a stone, though he is in any case a young and improving animal.

Long Run wore blue ear plugs for the first time on Saturday, prompted by the feverish adulation that Kauto Star was expected to attract:

"L follows K, so we were going to be right after Kauto Star in the parade," said Long Run's owner, Robert Waley-Cohen, "and we thought that would mean there was a lot of noise from the crowd as he walked past.

"And sure enough there was a great cheer for Kauto Star. One of the problems we've had with him is that, although he's very calm in the stabling area, he gets very excited and wound up in the paddock and we thought the ear plugs might help to keep him calm,"

Long Run came home 12 lengths clear in Saturday's race and Nicky Henderson is now aiming to have him back at the peak of his powers for the Cheltenham Gold Cup in March.

"He's come out of it really well. He's been out in the paddock for a bit and it went really good," said Henderson.

"I can see why the earplugs would help on him on a big day with a big crowd like at Kempton, and they (earplugs) will be there come March, all being well.

"It's highly, highly unlikely that he'll run before Cheltenham. In fact, it's almost certainly improbable."

Long Run can still be backed at best-price 7/1 (Stan James) for the Gold Cup, whilst Kauto Star is now best-price 10/1 (totesport).

With all the plaudits having been afforded to Long Run, the excellent performance of stablemate Riverside Theatre to fill the runner-up spot in the King George has gone slightly under the radar.

He does not have an entry in the Gold Cup, and Henderson believes his main target could be Aintree's Melling Chase in April.

"When you see what he did on Saturday over three miles, you can see why it went wrong in the Arkle last season," Henderson added.

"Two miles was just purely and utterly too short or him, but now you see the stamina he has got. I think if he goes to Cheltenham he'll go for the Ryanair, but much more likely he'll wait for the Melling Chase at Aintree."

Riverside Theatre is as short as 8/1 for the Ryanair Chase but available at a standout best-price 16/1 with Sportingbet.

Long Run (left) now heads Kauto Star (right) in the 2011 Gold Cup market