Some people despite earning their place on top of the pile through nothing but hard graft are just so damned lucky. Champion National Hunt trainer Paul Nicholls is such a man. And while he nurtures his elite team of top class horses for the spring festivals, two of his fallen warriors continue to grind their way back to health after career ending leg injuries.

A happy retirement guaranteed for both, Master Minded and Denman have much to look forward to- though they might not realise it while feeling sorry for themselves in their boxes.

It was reported today by Nicholls and owner Paul Barber that Denman has a few options open to him. A great suggestion for our money is to send him hunting. What a fantastic thrill he would be for the more recreational rider, soaring his way through the English countryside- tanking along, as only he can.

Trials day at Cheltenham on Saturday was accompanied by Leopardstown on a day that burst some bubbles and strengthened others in terms of festival winning prospects. On Sunday, again at Leopardstown, there was some talent on show that we'll undoubtedly be seeing and hearing plenty more of.

In the JCB Triumph Hurdle trial, Baby Mix disappointed as Grumeti and Pearl Swan fought out a pulsating finish to the opener. On the face of it, this represents potential Triumph Hurdle winning form for both horses and it could be that these two fight out the finish again in March.

The Giant Bolster earned himself a round of applause from the Cheltenham faithful after an inspiring round of jumping to win the Murphy Group handicap chase by seventeen lengths under Tom Scudamore, who himself continues to impress with his riding this season.

So his bubble burst in the RSA Chase last March, but trainer Paul Webber remains confident that his stable star is in great condition ahead of his bid to win Gold Cup trial the Argento Chase at Cheltenham on Saturday.

Time For Rupert won at Newbury after being taken off his feet by Kauto Star in the Betfair Chase at Haydock and connections will be hoping he can finally prove he is worthy of contesting the big one in March.

"Time For Rupert schooled for Denis O'Regan on Tuesday and we're very pleased with him." The trainer added "He's been in wonderful form since Newbury. Apart from it being a stepping stone to the Gold Cup, it is going to be a hell of a race in its own right. I am sure they are going to go a fair gallop and I'd dearly love to win it".

Somersby stamped his class in the Grade 1 Victor Chandler Chase on Saturday under a fine ride from Dominic Elsworth. The 10 year old was allowed to settle just behind a good gallop and jumped with real professionalism to score by a length and a quarter with Finians Rainbow in second place.

Al Ferof was well supported on course and ran a solid prep race for his intended target the Arkle Trophy at Cheltenham in March. He was under pressure before three fences from home, but responded encouragingly to Ruby's urgings. For a novice this was valuable experience against top class older rivals and he remains a major player for top honors on the first day of the festival.

It was a deserved success for all concerned here and there were a few tears shed at Ascot owing to the few months Terry Biddlecombe and wife/trainer Henrietta Knight have endured.

Since the BHA confirmed amendments to the whip rule, there has been a lull in the anger shown when it was first implemented back in autumn. But if the early proceedings of 2012 are anything to go by, there is a rising frustration among the jockey ranks.

Of all its suggested flaws, perhaps the most annoying one for the riders is incurring a ban for a great ride on a horse. Being punished for doing your job well is something that will never sit well with the horse racing community or the race fan public. Another potential annoyance, for punters this time, is having a horse they've backed lose to a jockey who has broken the rules on his horse. So now we have an upset and banned jockey who may have given the horse a tremendous ride to win, along with disgruntled punters who feel cheated out of pocket.

O'Brien looking to prove his point early

Meydan received a welcome boost to the Dubai World Cup meeting after So You Think was entered to run in the World's richest race by trainer A.P O''Brien.

Since his eagerly awaited arrival on European soil, So You Think has contested eight races under the guidance of the Ballydoyle maestro; winning three Group 1 races, running second twice in the same company, was fourth in the Arc de Triomphe in Paris and ran well to finish sixth in the Breeder's Cup Classic in America.

Despite adding most admirably to his already extensive international CV, there was a sense of disappointment with the son of High Chaparral. When O'Brien was heard saying "He is an incredible specimen, we haven't seen the like of him before" early last season, it created a fair bit of hype.