Gowran report:Newmill has been given a clean bill of health after his exploits at Gowran Park on Saturday.

The John Joseph Murphy-trained nine-year-old proved too strong for better-fancied rivals Macs Joy and Harchibald when posting an authoritative display in the Red Mills Trial Hurdle.

"There's not a bother on him this morning and he's out in his field having a ball," explained Murphy. "He was very good yesterday and he's a better horse this year, there's no doubt about that.

"He fought off Macs Joy and he's a real relentless galloper - he'll just gallop until he drops."

Newmill was cut to 7 to 2 by Coral to successfully defend his Queen Mother Champion Chase crown at Cheltenham.

Murphy knows the two-mile showpiece is developing into a hot renewal, but feels his charge merits the utmost respect.

"He'll go straight to Cheltenham now and we'll be schooling him this week. It looks a good race but he has to have a chance there," he added.

Jessica Harrington remains positive about Macs Joy's Champion Hurdle prospects despite his odds-on reverse.

Harrington believes her charge could have run a little below form after turning out relatively quickly following his promising reappearance in the AIG Champion Hurdle last month.

"The one that beat him at Gowran was a very good horse," she said. "We gave him weight and that ground was horrible too."

Macs Joy is now available at a best-priced 14 to 1 for Cheltenham.