Cheltenham countdown - news digest

Forpadydeplasterer turned the tables on Whatuthink, who beat him in December, and Cork All Star, to win the Grade One Deloitte Novice Hurdle at Leopradstown on Sunday.

Cork All Star, the Cheltenham Festival Bumper winner last year, was sent off the favourite, but his jumping let him down once more as Forpadydeplasterer took advantage, winning somewhat cosily by a length and a quarter.

Trainer Tom Cooper said: "He does want further but we have been running him over shorter to teach him to race at speed. He had a slight problem behind after his last race but these races have been about educating him to jump and travel.

"I am thrilled with him and he will be twice the horse over a trip. He'll go for the Ballymore Properties Novices' Hurdle now and wait to you see him over fences next year!"