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Dunguib heads Royal Bond entries.

Dunguib is the most notable acceptor for this Sunday's Bar One Racing Royal Bond Novice Hurdle at Fairyhouse. Phillip Fenton's charge, who will be aiming to make it three wins from three starts over hurdles, will face a maximum of six rivals in the Grade 1 contest.

Sweeps Hill, a four time winner under national hunt rules, looks like being one of Dunguib’s chief rivals in the two mile contest. One of the former’s victories was in last season's Champion Bumper at the Punchestown Festival - when he finished second to Dunguib, but was later awarded the race after Philip Fenton's charge was disqualified for failing a drugs test.

Some Present and Deise Dan are the two acceptors from theTom Mullins yard, while Shinrock Paddy is Paul Nolan's sole representative in the race.

Alice Bradys Call and Takestan complete the list of acceptors.

First time cheek pieces for Barbers Shop.

Having consulted Barry Gerrity, A P McCoy and former stable jockey Mick Fitzgerald, Nicky Henderson has decided to give the Queen's Barbers Shop first time cheek pieces for his run in this Saturday's Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup. Speaking about the decision, Henderson said,

"Cheek pieces not only help a horse to concentrate, they are thought to make them feel more confident, and the consensus amongst my existing and former jockeys suggests Barbers Shop will benefit from their presence in Saturday's race."

Cesare close to initial hurdle run.

A spokesperson for owners Cheveley Park Stud has today confirmed former Group 2 winner Cesare has taken extremely well to his hurdling preparation under work jockey Paul Moloney, and it is expected James Fanshawe's charge will either make his hurdling debut in the Knighton Novice Hurdle at Leicester on 03 December, or in an alternative novice hurdle race at Doncaster on 12 December.

Currently quoted at around 33/1 or 50/1 for the Supreme Novices Hurdle, a clear cut win by Cesare on his hurdling debut could well see his price tumbel in the anti post market for the leading Cheltenham novice race.

Punjabi to have pre-Cheltenham racecourse gallop.

As part of his preparation for a run in the Boylesports International Hurdle at Cheltenham on 12 December, the Nicky Henderson trained Champion Hurdler Punjabi is to have a racecourse gallop at Newbury this coming Sunday afternoon.

Nicholls very happy with Denman.

In an ominous statement for all of his rivals in Saturday's Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup, Paul Nicholls has today indicated he is extremely happy with Denman, and the Ditcheat trainer stated,

" Denman appears to be double the horse he was last year, and if he reproduces what he is doing at home when he gets to Newbury, not even top weight might stop him winning on Saturday."

However, Nicholls is far less bullish about World Hurdle favourite Big Bucks ahead of this weekend's Sportingbet Long Distance Hurdle,

"Big Bucks is a lazy horse at home, and he will definitely need the run this weekend. So if he does manage to get in the frame in the Long Distance Hurdle it will be a major bonus."

Dev to be prepared for second Aintree attempt.

Having successfully moved out of his two mile comfort zone to land last Sunday's Grand Sefton Steeplechase at Aintree, connections of Dev have now decided to return to the Merseyside track later in the season for an attempt at repeating the dose over the Grand National fences by landing the 2010 running of the Topham Trophy.

Two trainers will have their fingers crossed at Naas tomorrow.

Both Brian Hamilton and Eddie Harty will undoubtedly have their fingers crossed when their respective horses make long awaited returns at tomorrow's meeting at Naas.

Hamilton's charge Amstecos was rated as the best national hunt horse to come out of Northern Ireland in nearly twenty five years, and he was also the favourite for the 2007 Ballymore Properties Hurdle before lung and subsequent injury problems left him with only one competitive run to show for over two years of training effort. Speaking about tomorrow's run at Naas, Hamilton said,

"He has to cope with top weight in unsuitable ground, and I don't expect him to win tomorrow, but with Ruby Walsh on board, I am sure he will get a good return to the track. We have to treat him with kid gloves these days, so we will see how he comes out of tomorrow's race before we make any future plans."

The other horse making along awaited comeback at tomorrow's Naas meeting is 2008 Supreme Novices Hurdle winner Captain Cee Bee, and according to trainer Eddie Harty,

"He will run in tomorrow's Beginners Chase, and although the ground will not be ideal, at this stage I just want to give him a run and get him home in one piece."

Masterminded in shock bone scan scare.

Earlier today we reported how much Colm Murphy was looking forward to taking on Masterminded with his talented chaser Big Xeb in nextmonth's Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown Park, but in a shock announcement Paul Nicholls has today confirmed Masterminded will not only miss the Tingle Creek, he is to undergo bone scans this Thursday at Newbury, as Nicholls is not happy with his dual Champion Chaser following two troubling training ground outings. Nicholls explained,

"In his training gallops on Saturday and again this morning, Masterminded was constantly changing his leading leg, and he was also pulling to the right like he did in the Connaught Chase at Cheltenham. I have spoken to my vet, and we have taken the decision to give Masterminded a bone scan this coming Thursday at Newbury. If we find something, then we can make a decision as to what to do next." Nicholls went on to say,

"If we find nothing amiss, it will be too late to prepare him for the Tingle Creek, and I guess we will then have to start from scratch in an attempt to get him ready to defend his Queen Mother Champion Chasing title at Cheltenham next March."

Chepstow to inspect on Wednesday morning.

Chepstow Clerk of the Course Tim Long has today reported officials will have to hold a 7.30 am precautionary inspection of the track on Wednesday morning ahead of the proposed afternoon meeting,

"Although the current going is heavy, the course is certainly raceable, but the forecasters are predicting more heavy rain over the next 24 hours, and it is just common sensce for us to inspect the track to ensure tomorrow's meeting can go ahead."

Hennessy bullish over Sublimity chances.

While admitting both Solwit and Binocular will prove to be difficult nuts to crack in this Saturday's Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle, Robbie Hennessy is confident his former Cheltenham Champion Hurdler Sublimity will go into the race in top form.

"He looks awesome in training, and he has very little mileage on the clock. If he can repeat last year's performance when he finished second to Punjabi, then he must have every chance in this year's Fighting Fifth." Hennessy added,

"I have spoken to officials at Newcastle, and they tel me the current ground is good to soft, and with a dry spell forecast for the end of the week, Sublimityshould get his preferred ground conditions, and I expect him to give both Solwit and Binocular a real race."

Hennessy is also hoping Donegal, a 200,000 guineas acquisition out of Andrew Balding's yard last year, can achieve his first hurdle win in the French Furze Novices Hurdle on the Newcastle Saturday afternoon card. As Hennessy explained,

"He proved he has outstanding ability by finishing second to conduit in last year's Gordon Stakes on the flat at Goodwood, but in his four subsequent hurdle races since joining us he has failed to show his true ability, but he has been impressive in his pre-season preparations, and if he gets decent ground at Newcastle, I would be hopeful he can get off the mark."

Murphy aiming top mare at festive prize.

Colm Murphy has today explained he did not enter Voler la Vedette in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle because he does not think the fast improving five-year-old mare is yet ready to take on the best in Grade One company, and despite her recent thirteen length victory over 2009 Supreme Novice Hurdle winner Go Native, Murphy still thinks she has lots to learn before tackling top opposition.

"I think it is very important not to over face a developing hurdler, and with that in mind, I am preparing her for an entry in one of the high quality races over the festive period in Ireland, and if she comes out of her chosen race successfully, then I will consider stepping her up to the highest company during the spring."

Taaffe gives an update.

Following his recent third behind Aitmatov in the Lismullen Hurdle, 2009 Coral Cup winner Ninetieth Minute will have a work-out today, and according to trainer Tom Taaffe, providing he comes through the exercise in a satisfactory condition, he will then take up his option in this Sunday's Bar One Hattons Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse.

Taaffe has also indicated his Munster National winner Treacle has not suffered any after effectsf from the first fence battering he took while avoiding falling horses in Sunday's Troytown Chase at Navan.

"Having nearly been brought down by two horses at the first fence in Sunday's race, he actually did very well to stay on his feet. But having lost so much ground on his rivals in heavy going, I think he did well to finish sixth." Taaffe added,

"The plan now will be to prepare him for the Aintree Grand National, where he will be joined by his stable mate Cane Break, but while we may give Treacle a run or two over fences, Cane Break will stay hurdling to take advantage of his hurdling handicap mark."