MONTELADO, whose career has been dogged by injury, is likely to miss next month's Champion Hurdle. The nine-year-old has once again developed leg trouble and a decision will be made on Monday whether to continue with his preparation for Cheltenham.

Trainer Tom Foley has, however, confirmed that another of our Champion Hurdle hopefuls, Danoli, is a certain runner in the Red Mills Trial Hurdle at Gowran on Saturday, although he fears that the ground may be too testing for the eight-year-old.

"I'm worried that the going won't suit him, but if the ground is raceable he will run as he needs the race," said Foley. "We're very happy with him. He's not missed a day's work. He'll need the run again as I hope we've left something to work on for Cheltenham.

After his splendid win on Imperial Call in the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup on Sunday, Conor O'Dwyer has kept the ride on the seven-year-old for the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Dwyer is also the regular partner of another top Festival challenger, Strong Platinum, who is a leading fancy for the Queen Mother Champion Chase.

The arrival of Imperial Call on the scene as a serious Gold Cup prospect means that there is some grounds for optimism that Irish stables could win the three most prestigious prizes at Cheltenham in the same year for the first time.

Tom Dreaper made an audacious effort to do the hat-trick back in 1966 with only two horses. Flyingbolt won the Champion Chase on the opening day in a canter, and 24 hours later turned out for the Champion Hurdle, for which he started favourite. Although he disputed she lead from the start, he could manage only third place to Salmon Spray, beaten a total of three and three-quarter lengths. Arkle won the third of his Gold Cups on the final day by 30 lengths.

The threat of heavy overnight frost means that there will be an inspection this morning to see if today's Fairyhouse meeting can go ahead. If it does, Tell The Nipper could get back on the winning track in the Irish National Hunt Novice Hurdle Series after a surprise defeat by Minella Gold at Navan.

Cowanstown Lady stumbled on landing after the second last when second to Trench Hill Lass in a novice chase over the course and distance in January. She must cave reasonable prospects in the Normans Grove Handicap Chase.

Ray Cochrane took the riding honours at Lingfield yesterday when notching a double on Rainbow Top and Mr Teigh. Rainbow Top, trained by William Haggas, has now won his two races on the all-weather by a total of 11 lengths.