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McCoy wasting pays dividends as he steers Qaspal to Imperial success.

Tony McCoy had wasted himself to just 10 stone 3 pounds to ride Qaspal in this afternoon's Paddy Power sponsered Imperial Cup at Sandown Park, and in the final furlong the 'champ' made sure his efforts had not been in vain as he drove the hat-trick seeking race favourite past stable mate Oldrik to take the major honour, with Pepe Simo running on for a never nearer third position.

Following a rise in his weight for today's success, Qaspal will now almost certainly qualify for one of the handicap races at Cheltenham, and knowing sporting owner J P Mcmanus, he will almost certainly attemtp to win the £75,000 bonus offered by Paddy Power to any horse who can win the Imperial Cup and then go on to win a race at the Cheltenham Festival.

Red Harbour could seek Cheltenham follow up.

In a very tight three horse finish, and much to the relief of favourite backers, Ruby Walsh just managed to squeeze Red Harbour in front in the last stride of today's EBF Paddy Power NH Handicap Novice Hurdle Final at Sandown Park.

The Paul Nicholls trained favourite had been nip and tuck with rivals Babysitter and Ranjobaie over the run-in, but Walsh just got his horse in front where it mattered, with Babysitter and Ranjobaie having to settle for second and third places.

Following the race, Paul Nicholls indicated the Grade Three win should enable Red Harbour to qualify for a couple of races at Cheltenham, and the handler was minded to go down that route.

Dunelight makes his trip worth while.

Having travelled back from Dubai on Tuesday to compete in today's Listed Lady Wulfruna Stakes at Wolverhampton, The Clive Cox trained seven-year-old was given a beautifully timed ride by Ryan Moore, and scored in clever fashion from top handicappers Mia's Boy and Lovelace.

Later on the card, Vitznau came with a strong late run to deny the well supported Fanunalter in the Lincoln Handicap Trial.

Weird Al to miss RSA Chase.

A disappointed Ian Williams has confirmed his RSA Chase prospect Weird al has suffered a stress fracture of his off-fore cannon bone during a training gallop, and he will now miss the remainder of the current national hunt season.

Solwit given all clear for Champion Hurdle.

Charles Byrnes has confirmed Solwit has responded very well to the antibiotic treatment for the throat/chest infection discovered earlier this week, and after providing a clean scope on Friday afternoon, Solwit will now travel to Cheltenham today, and Byrnes now expects his multiple Grade One winning hurdler to line up in the Champion Hurdle next Tuesday.

Scoop 6 could top £600,000 for single winner.

Today's cross discipline Scoop 6 bet from Totesport involves races from the national hunt card at Sandown, and the all weather flat card at Wolverhampton.

With £272,745 in the roll over Win Fund, and £116,890 in the roll over Bonus Fund, when today's stakes are added, a single winner could be about to take home around £600,000 by the end of next Saturday.

Initially you will need to find the winners of the following 6 races:

Leg 1 - 2.00 pm Sandown Park.

Leg 2 - 2.15 pm Wolverhampton.

Leg 3 - 2.30 pm Sandown Park.

Leg 4 - 3.05 Sandown Park.

Leg 5 - 3.25 pm Wolverhampton.

Leg 6 - 3.40 pm Sandown Park.

Chance hoping for Fabulous effort from Fred.

Noel Chance is delighted his son-in-law Richard Johnson is to ride Fabulous Fred in today's EBF Paddy Power NH Handicap Novices Hurdle Final at Sandown, and the handler is hopeful of at least obtaining a placed position in today's valuable race.

The six-year-old ended a run of placed efforts when winning at Fakenham last month, and although he has been given a 9 pound hike for that success, Chance is confident of a good run, saying:

"The win at Fakenham has done his confidence the world of good and I couldn't be happier with him. Naturally, I'm delighted to have Dickie Johnson to ride him. He knows him a lot better now and it's a nice prize to go for. We set the pace at Fakenham, and although the ground will be quicker than he has ever run on before, we may employ the same tactics to make best use of his stamina."

Walsh advising punters not to ignore Celestial Halo.

After riding 2008 Triumph Hurdle winner Celestial Halo in a piece of work on Friday morning, Ruby Walsh has advised punters to ignore his last two disappointing performances at Cheltenham and Leopardstown, for now back on his preferred good ground, Walsh felt Celestial Halo was showing the same kind of sparkle which took him to the runners up spot in last year's Champion Hurdle.

It will be interesting to see if the Walsh comments have any effect on the anti post market for this season's renewal of the two mile hurdling blue-ribbon contest.

Weld has concerns over Cheltenham hurly-burly.

While having no doubts over the speed and stamina of Neptune Novice Hurdle anti post favourite Right of Passage, trainer Dermot Weld has expressed concerns over his charge's ability to handle the hurly-burly of a big Cheltenham Festival race. Explaining his concerns, Weld said:

"When he won last year's Irish November Handicap, Right of Passage illustrated he has the speed and stamina necessary to win next week's Neptune Hurdle, but having only had two runs over timber, I have concerns about whether he has yet learnt enough to deal with the hurly-burly of a large Cheltenham Festival field. I appreciate all Cheltenham winners need some luck in running, but the more experienced horses have the knowledge to prevent them from getting involved in the majority of potential racing incidents, but Right of Passage is still a true novice at hurdling, and I just hope he can get through next week's race without getting himself into trouble."

McLernon gets 8 day ban after Sandown race.

Conditional jockey Richie McLernon picked up an 8 day ban from the Sandown stewards for the 'Improper Riding' of the ill fated Hope Road in the Charles Stanley NH Handicap Hurdle on Friday afternoon.

McLernon was riding a tired horse at the rear of the field in the closing stages of the race, and the stewards felt he should have pulled his mount up before the last flight, and this mistake had caused the Andy Haynes trained gelding to suffer a fatal fall when he was pushed into jumping the last obstacle in the race.

The stewards felt McLernon must learn from this incident, and they therefore banned him from riding for 8 days - 26 March to 03 April inclusive.