Finian’s Oscar: Aintree now the aim for promising gelding  PICTURE:Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)   By David carr 11:48AM 11 MAR 2017  COLIN TIZZARD’S Cheltenham hopes suffered another blow on Saturday when he was forced to rule Finian’s Oscar out of the Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle. But the trainer, who had to scratch one-time Gold Cup favourite Thistlecrack from the festival last month ...

 By James Burn 10:30AM 11 MAR 2017  The East Garston Cheltenham Preview 2017Village Hall, East Garston, Berkshire, RG17 7HD Panel’s naps Pat Murphy Tombstone (Coral Cup, 5-1) Stan Moore Martello Tower (JT McNamara National Hunt Chase, 14-1) Jamie Snowden Golden Spear (Randox Health County Hurdle, 10-1) John Francome Un De Sceaux (Ryanair Chase, 5-2) Colin Brown Defi De Seuil (JCB Triumph ...

David Pipe: trainer fields Max Do Brazil  PICTURE:Martin Lynch (racingpost.com/photos)   By Bruce Jackson 8:27AM 11 MAR 2017  3.00 Sandown Matchbook Imperial Cup Handicap Hurdle THE Pipe name has long been entwined with this race as Pond House has produced nine winners, three of whom went on to collect the bonus offered by previous sponsors for winning at the Cheltenham Festival. New ...

Ardad and Robert Havlin win the Winsdor Castle Stakes last year  PICTURE:Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)   By Peter Scargill 9:26AM 10 MAR 2017  JOCKEY Robert Havlin “fiercely maintains his innocence” and has lodged a further appeal against a six-month ban imposed on him by France Galop following a positive drugs test last autumn. Havlin, 43, failed in an appeal to have the ban ...

 By Lee Mottershead 11:20AM 10 MAR 2017  London Racing Club Cheltenham Festival PreviewHoliday Inn Kensington Forum, London SW7, March 9 The panel’s £50 Star Sports charity bets: Lydia Hislop Djakadam (Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup, 9-2) Phil Smith Ireland (BetBright Prestbury Cup, best price 4-1) Matt Tombs Squouateur (Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Handicap Chase, 11-1) Lee Mottershead Ivanovich Gorbatov (Randox Health ...

Rathlin Rose and Captain Guy Disney head to victory at Sandown  PICTURE:Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)   By Mark Scully 3:15PM 10 MAR 2017  Report: Sandown, Friday Grand Military Gold Cup 3m, 6yo+ CAPTAIN GUY DISNEY completed a historic double as he and Rathlin Rose bolted up to add to their victory in the Royal Artillery Gold Cup at the same venue last month ...

 By Nicholas Godfrey 4:08PM 10 MAR 2017  Preview: USA, Saturday 1am (Sun) GMT Santa Anita: Santa Anita Hcap (Grade 1) 1m2f, dirt, 4yo+ THE significance of Santa Anita’s race contest may have been denuded by its proximity to the twin five-figure World Cups – Pegasus and Dubai – but it remains a hugely coveted title on the west-coast circuit. Indeed, well-fancied ...

Willie Mullins would surely love to get one over on Gigginstown  PICTURE:Getty Images   By Mark Scully 5:10PM 10 MAR 2017  ONE of the many elements that adds to the intoxicating cocktail that is the Cheltenham Festival is its rivalries. Trainers take on trainers, jockeys battle with fellow jockeys and tens of thousands of racegoers look to ruin the year for bookmakers. ...

Imperial Cup day at Sandown is live on ITV4  PICTURE:Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)   By Lee Mottershead 6:50PM 10 MAR 2017  THERE are now only three days to go until the Cheltenham Festival arrives, but you should never wish your life away, so while the biggest part of you gets ever more excited about what happens from Tuesday to Friday, let the rest ...

Colin Tizzard: his answers about star horses, the festival and future plans  PICTURE:Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)     5:08PM 10 MAR 2017  The top trainer answers your questions as we near the festival Is preparing a horse for the Cheltenham festival any different to preparing it for a big race in December? Stephen PowerIt shouldn’t be but it is. You find that everyone ...