Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

The first race at Cheltenham is at 1.30pm

Cheltenham day one: top tips and betting advice

Cheltenham's legendary National Hunt festival begins this afternoon; it's the pinnacle of jumps racing with 28 mostly competitive races down for decision. Winners may be hard to come by, but here's a short guide to the action with some betting advice.

Racing • 14 Mar 17

The grey Champagne Fever was in flying form on his return at Thurles

Ruby and Mullins catch Champagne Fever once again

Champagne Fever saw off Lord Windermere in a pulsating climax to the Boomerang Animal Bedding And Boomerang Horse & Country Store Chase at Thurles.

Racing • 24 Nov 16

Davy Russell and Lord Windermere in the 2014 Cheltengam Gold Cup

Festival favourites to return at Thurles

Two former dual Cheltenham Festival heroes, Champagne Fever and Lord Windermere, return to action in Thursday's Boomerang Animal Bedding And Boomerang Horse & Country Store Chase at Thurles.

Racing • 23 Nov 16

Champagne Fever picked up an injury on the way to Cheltenham and his trainer was not 100% satisfied about his fitness

Champagne Fever ruled out of Queen Mother

Willie Mullins' Champagne Fever has been ruled out of today's Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival

Racing • 11 Mar 15

Champagne Fever, a faller last time out, was an easy winner of the Red Mills Chase

Champagne Fever bounces back at Gowran Park

Champagne Fever got back on track with a smooth victory in the Red Mills Chase at Gowran Park.

Racing • 14 Feb 15

Champagne Fever set for Gowran test

Champagne Fever tries to boost his confidence ahead of a potential return to Cheltenham in the Red Mills Chase at Gowran Park.

Racing • 13 Feb 15

Vautour en route to winning last year's Deloitte Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown

Willie Mullins dominates Deloitte entries

Willie Mullins has five of the possible 12 runners in Sunday's Deloitte Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown, including the race winners for the past two years Champagne Fever and Vautour.

Racing • 03 Feb 15

Champagne Fever will be up against it at Kempton

Champagne Fever steps into the unknown at Kempton

Willie Mullins' Champagne Fever is the sole Irish interest in the William Hill King George VI Chase at Kempton on St Stephen's Day, with 10 remaining in the feature event.

Racing • 20 Dec 14

Ruby Walsh holding off on decision whether to take Champagne Fever mount

Walsh to make late Stephen's day call

Ruby Walsh will leave it as late as possible before making a decision on his St Stephen’s Day destination.

Racing • 10 Dec 14

Champagne Fever and Paul Townend went off 8/11 favourite

Fever too hot for Clonmel rivals

All roads lead to Kempton on Stephen’s Day for Champagne Fever after the flying grey made an impressive return to action in the Clonmel Oil Chase.

Racing • 13 Nov 14

Andrew Lynch and Sizing Europe clear the last to win The Champion Steeplechase at Punchestown in April

Champagne Fever and Sizing Europe head to Clonmel

Champagne Fever and Sizing Europe cross swords in a fascinating battle for the Clonmel Oil Chase on Thursday.

Racing • 12 Nov 14

Tom Scudamore steered Western Warhorse to a surprise triump

Warhorse claims shock Arkle victory

Western Warhorse caused a huge upset in the Racing Post Arkle Challenge Trophy at Cheltenham.

Racing • 11 Mar 14

Champagne Fever winning at last year's Cheltenham Festival

Septet in line for Dr Moriarty Chase

Carlingford Lough, Champagne Fever and Don Cossack are among seven possible runners in the Dr. P.J. Moriarty Novice Chase at Leopardstown on Sunday.

Racing • 04 Feb 14

Willie Mullins fancies Rubi Ball's chances in the Hennessy Gold Cup

Mullins aims Rubi Ball at Hennessy

Rubi Ball, Champagne Fever and Ivan Grozny look set to represent Willie Mullins in three of the four Grade 1 races at Leopardstown on Sunday.

Racing • 03 Feb 14

Champagne Fever impresses at Punchestown

Champagne Fever set out on his new career over fences with an imperious victory in the Connexus Communications Beginners Chase at Punchestown.

Racing • 16 Nov 13

Paul Townend and owner Rich Ricci share a laugh after winning the Racing Post Novice Steeplechase with Arvika Ligeonniere at Leopardstown last year

Ricci 'I wouldn't race anywhere else'

Powerful jumps owner Rich Ricci has pledged to support Irish racing "for as long as I can".

Racing • 18 Sep 13

Ruby Walsh steered Champagne Fever to victory at Cheltenham

Champagne given novice chase entry

Champagne Fever could make an early start to novice chasing after Willie Mullins gave the Cheltenham hero an entry at Punchestown on Saturday.

Racing • 06 May 13

Champagne Fever and Ruby Walsh push on to win the first race of the Festival

Supreme run by Champagne in opener

Champagne Fever, trained by Willie Mullins and ridden by Ruby Walsh has won the William Hill Supreme Novices Hurdle - the opening race of the 2013 Cheltenham Festival.

Racing • 12 Mar 13

Champagne corked as Mouse Rules Slaney Hurdle

Rule The World never came off the bridle in winning the Slaney Hurdle at Naas in which Champagne Fever was a big disappointment.

Racing • 06 Jan 13

Star field for Slaney Novice Hurdle

Champagne Fever and Minsk aim to give the red-hot form of last month's Royal Bond another significant boost in the Slaney Novice Hurdle at Naas on Sunday.

Racing • 04 Jan 13

Champagne Fever