Harry Senior brings more success for Tizzard and Power in Ballymore trial

Harry Senior stormed up the Cheltenham hill to land the 2m4½f Grade 2 Ballymore Novices' Hurdle for Colin Tizzard and Robbie Power.

The 6-4 favourite King Roland looked to be travelling best as they began the climb to the line, and traded at 1.22 in running with Betfair, but he failed to find enough when asked by rider Sean Bowen.

Instead it was 4-1 shot Harry Senior who stayed on strongest to land his first victory for the Tizzard team by two and a quarter lengths and earn a 16-1 quote for the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham Festival. He is a similar price for the 3m Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle.

Five in a row at Doncaster for Mares' Hurdle-bound Lady Buttons

The popular Lady Buttons recorded her fifth straight win at Doncaster to land the 2m½f Grade 2 Mares' Hurdle.

The ten-year-old travelled well throughout and stretched clear up the home straight to defeat Irish Roe and Floressa, sending the Yorkshire crowd into jubilation as they cheered on Philip Kirby's mare.

She is now as short as 12-1 for the Mares' Hurdle at Cheltenham and her trainer was delighted with the performance.

"She's just great, she's actually getting better I think. The plan was to wait as long as we could, the faster they go the easier she'll find it, she's just brilliant," Kirby told Sky Sports Racing.

Cepage halved in price for Ryanair after brave Cheltenham success

Cepage put in a brave front-running performance to land the 2m4½f Grade 3 Trophy Handicap Chase under Charlie Deutsch at Cheltenham.

The Venetia Williams-trained 8-1 shot was pressured all the way up the hill by Lalor and Spiritofthegames, but the topweight stayed on strongly to take the £39,389 prize by half a length.

Last year this was won by Siruh Du Lac, who subsequently landed the Plate Handicap Chase at Cheltenham, but Cepage is being pointed towards the Ryanair Chase and has been shortened to 33-1 from 66-1 with Betfair for the 2m4½f Grade 1.

Mister Fisher showcases Cheltenham credentials in Doncaster thriller

Mister Fisher got the better of Al Dancer in the Grade 2 Lightning Novices’ Chase at Doncaster, announcing himself as a genuine festival contender.

The field of four jumped the second-last fence together to set up a cracking finish, with Al Dancer and Mister Fisher pulling slightly clear of Lisp and Le Patriote ahead of the final jump.

A slight mistake from Al Dancer at the last gave the advantage to Mister Fisher, who stayed on well to land the spoils by a length under James Bowen.

The Nicky Henderson-trained 6-5 favourite landed a big gamble for punters and has been shortened to 10-1 (from 14) for the Marsh Novices’ Chase and to 14-1 (from 25) for the Racing Post Arkle, with connections yet to indicate where the six-year-old will line up.

Simply The Betts proves the best for Whittington

Simply The Betts roared home to land the 2m4½f novice handicap chase at Cheltenham ahead of favourite Imperial Aura.

The seven-year-old was in the mix throughout and asserted himself after jumping the last to make it three wins from his last four runs for Harry Whittington.

Simply The Betts (right) jumps the second-last fence and goes on to beat Imperial Aura (left) and On The SlopesCredit: Edward Whitaker

This race has thrown up three festival winners over the past 20 years and Simply The Betts has been cut to 12-1 from 16 with Paddy Power to land the Close Brothers Novices' Handicap Chase and emulate 2018 winner Mister Whitaker.

Whittington said: "There are a couple of festival races he could line up in so we'll let the dust settle and go from there. He handles soft and good, and has won on good to firm so is very versatile."

Galahad Quest lands Triumph Trial but may not have festival on agenda

Galahad Quest stayed on best to land the JCB Triumph Trial Juvenile Hurdle but trainer Nick Williams played down the likelihood of his four-year-old returning for the Cheltenham Festival.

Galahad Quest (right) edged Night Edition to land the Triumph TrialCredit: Edward Whitaker

He has been priced up at 33-1 with Ladbrokes and bet365 to follow up in March after edging out the David Pipe-trained Night Edition.

Williams said: "I don't necessarily see him as a Triumph prospect but it's possible. A horse like him wouldn't want to be going on quick ground and even good to soft at Cheltenham would be too quick for him.

"On the home bend we were fifth and going nowhere but we had a nice run through the race. He's a bit inexperienced and is only going to get better."

Monte Cristo went off at 10-11 but was unable to justify favouritism and finished fourth on his stable debut for Nicky Henderson.

This race report is being updated and more news will follow shortly.