Champion jump jockey Ruby Walsh, who has been out of action with a broken leg sustained in the Czech Republic a month ago, has targeted St Stephen's Day at Leopardstown as his date for returning to the saddle.
He said yesterday: "I am recovering well and I am looking forward to riding some good horses, including Commanche Court who is trained by my father Ted, at the Christmas meeting."
Walsh broke his right tibia in a freak accident, being knocked out of the saddle when a running rail snapped into the path of his mount in a supporting race to the Velka Pardubicka
A former Triumph Hurdle winner, Commanche Court is expected to make his debut over fences in the Craddocks Town Novice Chase at Punchestown on Saturday - although he is also engaged at Navan the following day - and then go to Leopardstown.
Tony Martin is sending a seven-pronged team to Cheltenham this weekend for the three-day Murphy's Irish Craic and reckons he has a good chance of landing at least one or two prizes.
The Co Meath trainer's entry is led by She's Our Mare, who lines up in the Murphy's Draughtflow Hurdle on Sunday.
She's Our Mare's last appearance in Britain saw her capture the valuable Tote Cambridgeshire at Newmarket and Martin is hopeful another decent prize can be captured.
"I'm happy enough with her and she's been in good form since she came back from Newmarket," he said. "I think I've got David Casey to ride her.
"She wouldn't have a problem with the ground as she goes on nearly anything as long as it's not too soft.
"She's rated 139 which I suppose is all right and she goes with a good chance."
She's Our Mare is a 5 to 1 shot with Cashman bookmakers to take the £45,000 contest.
The bulk of Martin's squad will be in action on the first day of the meeting on Friday where he assesses Linden's Lotto to have the best chance of getting him in the winner's enclosure when he lines up in the Sporting Index Chase.
The winner of the corresponding race last year, which is over the cross-country course in the middle of Prestbury Park, Paul Carberry has been booked for the ride.
"I think he'd be my best chance," reported Martin.
"He's done it well enough and loved the course last time and obviously this race has been in our minds for him. I'm happy enough with him at home and he's got a right squeak."
Henry Cecil's Nashwan filly Caerau is one of 12 horses declared for the Group Three Prix Fille de l'Air at Toulouse tomorrow. Pat Eddery, who finished the British Flat season with 95 winners, has been booked to ride and he will hoping that Caerau can complete a hat-trick.
Kieren Fallon, having interrupted his Hong Kong stint to ride in the Breeders' Cup on Saturday, is back in action in the Chinese territory today. He rides Spartan and My Chief on a seven-race card at Happy Valley.
Fallon, who had a highly successful spell in Hong Kong last winter, got his four-and-a-half-month stay off to a fine start with victory on Gaylord at Happy Valley eight days ago.
