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Cheltenham option for Imperial Commander.

Last seen finishing a tired fifth in the King George VI Chase at Kempton, where a major second fence blunder all but ended his chances, if Imperial Commander is to be seriously considered as a potential winner of the Cheltenham Gold Cup, he needs to recapture the sort of form which saw him run Kauto Star to a nose deficit in the Betfair Chase at Haydock Park in late November. Consequently, if the weather permits, Nigel Twiston Davies is considering giving Imperial Commandre an outing in the Letheby and Christopher Chase at Cheltenham on 30 January, and if he were to win that race convincingly, the trainer would have no hesitation about allowing last season's Ryanair Chase winner to go forward to this year's Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Punjabi heads Welsh Champion Hurdle dozen.

Last season's Cheltenham Champion Hurdler, the Nicky Henderson trained Punjabi, and Alan King's highly regarded Medermit head a field of twelve who remain declared for Saturday's SIS sponsered Welsh Champion Hurdle at Ffoslas.

There are three potential Irish raiders, with De Valira and Won in the Dark having finished fourth and sixth respectively behind Solwit in last week's December Hurdle at Leopardstown, while Donnas Palm has been displaying progressive form this season, and certainly has each way claims on his recent races.

The field is made up by; Blue Bajan, Dream's Jewel, Mutual Friend, Norton Thorpe Lad, Red Moloney, Treaty Flyer and William Hogarth.

Leicester and Hexham the latest casualties.

Following inspections at Leicester and Hexham, both fixtures have now fallen to the current cold weather conditions.

Leicester's scheduled meeting for Tuesday 05 January has been cancelled due to a frozen track. Meanwhile Hexham's planned meeting for Wednesday 06 January has been abandoned due to a blanket of snow over the course, and a forecast conditions will deteriorate further as more snow is due to fall tonight.

Southwell national hunt card also called off.

After a cursory inspection today, Southwell's national hunt card scheduled for Wednesday 06 January has been abandoned due to a frozen track.

Channel 4 coverage to be determined by Wednesday inspection.

With Channel 4 Racing due to provide coverage of Wincanton's national hunt card on Saturday, officials at the Somerset track have decided to hold an inspection at 2.00 pm on Wednesday to assess if weather conditions will allow racing to go ahead.

If, as currently seems likely, Wincanton fails to pass the inspection, Channel 4 are likely to switch their coverage to the all weather raceing due to take place this coming weekend.

Kyber Kim a likely runner in Totesport Trophy.

Nigel Twiston Davies knows he cannot over-race Kyber Kim, as this season's hurdling revelation shows his best form when 'fresh'. Consequently, now giving Kyber Kim a mid season rest, the west country trainer is hoping to copy the pattern established in Kyber Kim's early season successes in the Greatwood and Boylesports International Hurdles. Discussing his thoughts, Twiston Davies said today,

"We are aiming to get him ready to re-appear in the Totesport Trophy at Newbury on 13 February, and Providing he comes out of that race in good order, then it will be straight to the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham in March." The trainer added,

"After beating Celestial Halo in the Boylesports he is now rated at 165, and this may mean he has to carry top weight in the Totesport Trophy. If this is the case, we may consider using a conditional jockey to reduce his burden, but we will have to assess this nearer the time. Our main concern is to get him to Cheltenham for the Champion Hurdle in the same form he has shown so far this season, and if we can achieve that, we are confident he will prove hard to beat on race day."

Oscar Dan Dan could get Cleeve outing.

Trainer Tom Mullins has today indicated, with Big Bucks no longer entered for the Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham later this month, connections may take the opportunity to give recent woodiesdiy.com Christmas Hurdle runner-up Oscar Dan Dan an opportunity to experience the World Hurdle distance at Prestbury Park prior to the Cheltenham Festival. Talking about his options, Mullins said,

"If you take Big Bucks out of the World Hurdle, all of his rivals have a chance of the minor honours, and we will certainly be aiming Oscar Dan Dan at that particular race. In the meantime, we have the option to run him in a Conditions three mile hurdle at Gowran Park, but with Big Bucks not competing, and particularly if there is good ground at Cheltenham at the end of January, then it makes a lot of sense to give Oscar Dan Dan a run in the Cleeve Hurdle."

Ludlow Huntigdon and Fontwell not very hopeful.

While Ludlow and Huntingdon are to inspect tomorrow ahead of Thursday's proposed cards, and Fontwell Park have announced a Wednesday inspection for Friday's scheduled fixture, all three courses report their circuits are currently frozen, and the likely hood of their meetings going ahead is minimal.

Henderson confirms Arkle Trophy rumours.

Nicky Henderson has now backed-up suggestions made by owner Robert Waley Cohen that french import, and impressive Feltham Novices Chase winner Long Run, could be aimed at the Irish Independant Arkle Trophy over the minimum two mile trip at the Cheltenham Festival.

It had been assumed by most pundits Long Run's impressive Kempton Park successs on Boxing Day would have been a forerunner to a crack at the RSA Chase at Prestbury Park in March, but connections have indicated the well regarded young gelding is thought to be in the same mould as Kauto Star, in that he can show top form over a variety of distances. As if to emphasise this point, it is understood Long Run's next outing will involve a step down to two and a half miles when he lines up in the Scilly Isles Novices Chase at Sandown Park on 06 February.

Farringdon declared for MCR Hurdle.

With a record which indicates, apart from last season's Vincent O'Brien County Hurdle at Cheltenham, he has not finished out of the first four in any of his races since early in 2008, it will be of interest to punters to note the Prunella Dobbs trained Farringdon is a confirmed entrant amongst the 62 horses still declared for Sunday's MCR Hurdle at Leopardstown.

The current anti post second favourite for the race, sponsered by Ladbrokes and formerly called the Pierse Hurdle, finished as runner up to the well regarded and well handicapped Beroni over two and a half miles at Punchestown on New Year's Eve, but the return to the two mile trip of the MCr Hurdle is expected to suit Farringdon, and his County Wicklow based trainer is understood to be very keen on his chances for Sunday's race.