JODAMI is in tip-top shape for his return to action in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Leopardstown next Sunday.

Snow and frost have failed to disrupt the training programme for the 1993 Gold Cup winner, who will attempt an unprecedented fourth victory in the race.

"Like everybody else the weather is no help but Jodami worked well before the snow came," said trainer Peter Beaumont. "He's in good order and we will be able to give him some more work this week."

Jodami, absent since a narrow victory at Kelso in November, will be attempting to land the Leopardstown race for the fourth year in a row. "He obviously likes the course there but I just hope the ground doesn't become too soft," said Beaumont.

The trainer revealed that there has still been no decision made whether Jodami will tackle the Gold Cup or Grand National. "We just want to keep our options open until much nearer the time but unless something went wrong early on at Cheltenham he wouldn't be running in both races, he said.

Meanwhile, Ladbrokes have reshuffled their list for the Smurfit Champion Hurdle despite a period of frost-enforced inactivity on the track.

Favourite Alderbrook has been clipped a quarter of a point to 5, to 2 from 11 to 4 and Danoli has moved in the same direction.

Following reports he is fine after his gallant third to Collier Bay in AIG Europe Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown, Tom Foley's gelding has been shortened to 3 to 1 from 4s.

Conversely, his Leopardstown conqueror Collier Bay has taken a walk in the betting, along with Mysilv, from 8 to 1 to 10s. The pair join Montelado and Hotel Minella making four bracketed on that price.

Hills report lively support for outsider Dato Star, who may make his debut over timber at Wetherby on Saturday.

Jimmy Harris will liaise with the Jockey Club before deciding whether to appeal against the disqualification of his three-year-old Monkey Zanty at Lingfield on Saturday.

The Melton Mowbray trainer's filly appeared to have justified the 150-mile trek to Surrey when swooping late to beat Chemcast by a length in the opening Crusader Claiming Stakes.

But after a 45-minute inquiry, the Lingfield stewards relegated Paul Fessey's mount to last place for interference after a furlong - and for good measure meted out a four-day ban (February 5th to 8th inclusive) to Jack Berry's apprentice for irresponsible riding.

Highly-rated Celestial Choir is set to be unleashed this week - but the weather may force her jumping debut to be delayed.

Impatient trainer Les Eyre is keen to take the wraps off the six-year-old mare, who is regarded as a possible Champion Hurdle candidate.

But his first choice for her this week - the Loganlea Novices' Hurdle at Musselburgh tomorrow - may yet fall victim to the arctic conditions.