Paul Nicholls and owner Andy Stewart made history today as Big Bucks just held off the mare Voler La Vedette to claim his fourth World Hurdle under Ruby Walsh. Speaking at the press conference, Mr Nicholls said that he was delighted that Big Bucks hadn’t the cold that he was choking with. He now plans to send him to run in the Aintree Hurdle.

Willie Mullins Sir Des Champs looks to be a future Gold Cup horse as the Gigginstown House Stud owned six year old battled up the hill under Davy Russell in the Jewson

Day Two of the 2012 Cheltenham Festival proved a mixed day for punters but it was Nicky Henderson and Barry Geraghty who stole the show.

Simonsig caused a lot of trouble for BetPack.com as we Enhanced him to 3/1 in our Happy Hour and he was well fancied in the Neptune Investment Management Hurdle and he proved that he is a progressing horse by winning the Grade One race by seven lengths with Willie Mullins Felix Yonger finishing second.

All eyes were on the David Pipe trained Grands Crus in the Grade One RSA Steeplechase but he failed to excel up the Prestbury hill and only managed to finish fourth. It was the combination of Barry Geraghty and Nicky Henderson that was to spoil the day for the Gigginstown House Stud owned First Lieutenant who had to settle for second as Bobs Worth battled bravely to record a two and a half length win.

The Queen Mother Champion Chase proved to be a dramatic race as Kauto Stone exited at the first whilst Wishfull Thinking fell at the third and cause the last fence to be bypassed. Reigning champion Sizing Europe was always up with the pace but just failed to get past the Nicky Henderson trained Finians Rainbow as both of them nearly collided as they realised the last fence was bypassed.

Son Of Flicka was available as big as 66/1 this morning but the gamble lasted all day and Jason Maguire guided the Donald McCain trained eight year old to prevail up the hill. Son Of Flicka returned at 16/1 and also has boosted Sir Des Champs form as he finished second to him in last year’s Martin Pipe Conditional Handicap Hurdle.

Henderson completed a 3382.5/1 four timer when Une Artiste won the Fred Winter Handicap Hurdle.

Willie Mullins combined with his

After so many nights of sleep, Tuesday will be the best day of the year so far for me as I will be hearing the roar at Prestbury Park as the stampede of horses takes their chances in the opening race of Cheltenham 2012, The Supreme Novice Hurdle.

19 runners will go to post in the opening Supreme Novices Hurdle that could see the Irish get off to a great start. Word all around the country and over here at Prestbury Park is that Jessica Harrington’s Steps To freedom is in tremendous form and will take all the beating. Dermot Weld’s Galileo’s Choice also holds a strong chance whilst Willie Mullins Midnight Game shouldn’t be ignored either. The main home

Clonmel hosts a seven race card today with the first of seven races due off to post at 2:05 at the county Tipperary venue.

2:05 - Carrigeen Kariega each way – Ran a nice race to finish second last time out and should give the Lawlor's another good each way chance around a track they have a lot of luck at.

2:35 - Scots Gaelic – if reproducing some of the form from last year the five year old should be too far away.

3:05 – Pretty Happy – Just got piped at the venue three weeks ago and

Leopardstown hosts it final National Hunt meeting of the season on Sunday with the first of seven races due off to post at 2:00. Many of the Cheltenham horses will also have a gallop after racing as a final prep for the Cheltenham Festival.

Willie Mullins is represented by Lord Gale in the opening

Thurles host a seven race National Hunt card on this fresh Thursday with the first race due off to post at 2:25. The feature race on the card is the Grade Two Michael Purcell Memorial Novice Hurdle with six runners going to post.

The opening Steeplechase for five year olds and upwards has only attracted five runners and Willie Mullins is represented by two runners. Ruby takes the ride on Tango Banbou whilst Willie’s son Patrick takes the ride on Shakervilz but the main danger looks to be the Jessica Harrington trained Saludos with Robbie “Puppy” Power booked to ride.

Dare To Doubt will go off the short priced favourite for the Mares Beginners Steeplechase and looks the horse to beat despite having a few frustrating runs at the Thurles track. Ruby Walsh takes the ride and the each way value in the race looks to be Feisty Lass who will have no bother with the obstacles after she won her point to point at Ballinaboola in January.

The Ballycahill Beginners Steeplechase looks an open contest and will see the Mouse Morris trained Big Game Hunter go off favourite but danger will come from the John J Walsh trained

Irish racing moves to a wet and drizzly Punchestown today with the first of seven races due off to post at 2 o clock. The current going is soft to heavy, soft in places.

Five go to post in the opening Festival Free Upgrade Offer Ends Today Hurdle and no doubt the 2008 Cheltenham Champion Bumper Cousin Vinny will be the warm favourite. Despite an absence of 672 days Cousin Vinny will take all the beating under Ruby Walsh but Dessie Hughes Tofino Bay shouldn’t be ruled out having finished second behind Stephanie Kate last week at Clonmel. Sabrina Harty’s Won In The Dark shouldn’t be ignored whilst See U Bob and Major Finnegan make

Despite the cold frost that hit most of Ireland last night Clonmel avoided the worst with the first race due off to post at Powerstown Park at 1:40. The going is currently heavy.

The opening Clonmel Festival Week Maiden Hurdle looks a wide open contest and a chance is taken with the John “Shark” Hanlon trained Coolking who has failed to impress over hurdles but was third in a decent bumper that was won by Ipsos Du Berlais at Galway in October. Brian Hayes is booked to ride.

The Mares Novice Hurdle has only attracted five runners and it looks to be a shake up between Is Herself About and Noras Fancy with slight preference for Noras Fancy who can put her stinking run at Fairyhouse behind her.

Knockgraffon King is worth giving a chance in the Listed Surehaul Mercedes Benz Novice Hurdle for trainer Noel Meade and jockey Davy Condon. Folsom Blue and Daring Article look the dangers.

Despite a long layoff, the Willie Mullins Immediate Response looks the one to beat in the Handicap Hurdle with Patrick Mullins taking the ride.

Willie Mullins saddles two of the five runners in the

Irish Racing moves up north to Down Royal with the first of a seven race card due off to post at 1:05 with the feature €12,500 Martinstown Handicap Steeplechase taking place at 2:05

The opening Follow Down Royal on Facebook Handicap Steeplechase looks a wide open contest with the Robert Alan Hennessy trained Mister First likely to dominate the betting but slight preference is for the Oliver McKiernan trained Profit Margin who won nicely at Fairyhouse last time out. Roger Quinlan takes five pounds off his back.

Willie Mullins sends two runners from his county Carlow base to Down Royal and Soll looks the

The crowds will flock to Leopardstown on Sunday to see the long awaited seasonal return of Hurricane Fly in the BHP Irish Champion Hurdle. Hurricane Fly was last seen taking the Rabobank Champion hurdle at Punchestown last May and he bids for a 10^th Grade One win in the BHP Irish Champion hurdle. Currently red hot favourite in the five runner field Hurricane Fly’s main rivals looks to be stable mate Thousand Stars and Istabraq Hurdle winner Unaccompanied. Jessica Harrington’s Oscars Well is reported in tremendous form whilst outsider Kalann will have it all to do for trainer Sabrina Harty.

The first of a seven race card goes to post at the Foxrock venue at 12:55 with the Grade One Frank Ward Solicitors Arkle Novice Chase also a feature race on the card.

Willie Mullins is represented by Tennis Cap in the opening