Dermot Welds has ruled out the possibility of running his mare Unaccompanied in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham 2012 next month.

The five-year old was last seen when finishing a disappointing fourth in the Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown in a race won once again by the impressive Hurricane Fly.

Before her 39 length defeat to the favourite in the Champion Hurdle betting, the season had gone well for the Moyglare Stud-owned horse, she won a Listed Race at Navan in November and then returned to pick up a Grade One success in the Istabraq Festival Hurdle at Leopardstown a month later, finishing ahead of Thousand Stars and Oscars Well.

Unaccompanied proved her talent when finished second in the Triumph Hurdle at the Festival in 2011 in her first run outside of Ireland. Ridden by Paul Townend, the mare was only beaten by the talented hurdler Zarkandar.

The plan for the rest of the year for Unaccompanied is a return to flat action. The five-year old showed her durability last season when winning the Alleged Stakes at the Curragh over 1m2f in a race that included Aiden O’Brien’s Breeders’ Cup winner St Nicholas Abbey. It is very likely that Welds-runner will return to the Listed Race once again in April.

With the exclusion of Unaccompanied from the Champion Hurdle, the biggest challenge for the reigning champion Hurricane Fly is likely to come from Grandouet and Binocular. Nicky Henderson’s French-bred five-year old finished third in the Triumph Hurdle last season and won on his latest start at Cheltenham back in December. Binocular, on the other hand, looked in good form when he won the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton over the Festive period.

Nicky Henderson has decided to take the bull by the horns and not let the current wintry weather dictate to him when and where he should run his Cheltenham Festival contenders and has begun by declaring the exciting Captain Conan for the Grade 1 Deloitte Novices hurdle at Leopardstown on February 12, writes Elliot Slater.

Henderson is determined to give his charge the chance to gain more experience before heading for the Cheltenham racing in March where he holds engagements in both the Supreme Novices Hurdle and the Neptune Investment Management Novices Hurdle, and the Irish event appears to fit the bill. Ideally the senior trainer would have preferred to keep Captain Conan closer to home, but with doubts about racing taking place in Britain at present he wants to ensure that the ex-French gelding has another chance to run over hurdles having only raced once this term when springing something of a surprise in winning the Grade 1 Tolworth Hurdle at Sandown last month by just a short-head from the wayward Colour Squadron. Anyone with Cheltenham Free Bets will have been impressed.

Connections could hardly have wished for more on his British bow, but in beating just five opponents his Sandown win will be very different from the rough ‘n tumble of a huge field of runners in either of the Cheltenham contests. With a number of smart local horses likely to be taking on Henderson’s relatively inexperienced contender the Leopardstown contest is sure to tell us a great deal more about the son of Kingsala who joined his current yard in late-November having won a decent conditions hurdle at Auteuil in the summer.

A top price 20/1 chance for the ‘Neptune’, Captain Conan has well and truly divided opinion amongst the ranks of betting firms pricing up the Supreme Novices Hurdle, some offering no more than 14/1 about him winning the opening race of the four-day fixture, whilst others offer a generous looking 33/1.

Following his fine recent effort when coming home a creditable third to Midnight Chase in the Grade 2 Argento Chase at Cheltenham in late-January, Knockara Beau’s trainer George Charlton initially suggested a crack at Long Run at Kauto Star in the Gold Cup itself, but now after some thought it looks increasingly likely that the talented northern chaser will instead tackle the three-mile handicap chase on the opening day of the meeting, the JLT Speciality Chase, writes Elliot Slater.

Knockara Beau has been a standard bearer for Charlton’s Northumberland yard for a number of seasons and rarely runs a bad race, winning eight of his 29 career starts to date and placing in good company on a further nine occasions. Although raised some 7lbs for his most recent effort to a mark of 147 Charlton feels that the handicap chase at the showcase fixture is the more realistic option for a horse who would have to find 30lbs of improvement to mix it at the business end of the Cheltenham Gold Cup with the two outstanding contenders for the blue riband event and those looking ahead to Cheltenham 2012 should remember this.

Although he hasn’t managed to get his head in front since scoring at Carlisle in February of last year, the gelded son of Leading Counsel has run a series of fine races, including finishing fourth to Buena Vista in the Pertemps Handicap Hurdle Final at last season’s Cheltenham Festival, then fifth to the mighty Big Buck’s at Aintree the following month in the Grade 1 Liverpool Hurdle. Fans of Betfair Cheltenham Festival need to bear this in mind.

Switching back to fences this term, Knockara Beau finished strongly into second place behind Shakalakaboomboom in the Grade 3 Majordomo Hospitality Chase at Cheltenham in December before finishing out of the frame after an uncharacteristic bad early error knocked the stuffing out of him at Wetherby on Boxing Day in the Rowland Meyrick Chase. Against Midnight Chase however Charlton’s pride and joy ran on well into third spot and is now generally a 16/1 shot to win on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival meeting.

The former Mark Johnston-trained Flat racer Sadler’s Risk made a sparkling debut over hurdles for the Philip Hobbs yard at Kempton recently and has leaped to the head of the ante-post market for the ultra-competitive Grade 1 JCB Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival on March 16, writes Elliot Slater.

Rated up to 100 on the level, the four-year-old had reportedly schooled well ahead of his debut in the two-mile William Hill – Home of Betting Juvenile Hurdle and was duly sent off the well backed even money favourite despite the presence of the Jim Best-trained Doncaster winner Dubawi Dancer. Apart from a couple of novicey leaps in the first half of the contest punters who took the short price about the son of Sadler’s Wells making a winning debut never had any cause for concern as Richard Johnson’s mount travelled powerfully throughout the race before asserting before the home turn and gradually pulling further and further clear, eventually crossing the line some 17-lengths in hand of the runner-up, Otto The Great. Those looking at the latest Cheltenham odds will have been very impressed.

Hobbs admitted to being relieved by his winner’s performance as he has always considered the horse to be a very exciting prospect. Johnson suggested that Sadler’s Risk should have at least one more run before Cheltenham as he lacks experience and appeared to take very little out of himself in winning the Sunbury contest in such effortless fashion, and Hobbs hinted he may run again at Cheltenham on January 28 after which a decision on whether or not a third outing before tackling the Triumph Hurdle is required. Anyone following the Betfair Cheltenham antepost betting should bear this in mind.

Having not even been quoted in many ante-post lists prior to the Kempton race Sadler’s Risk is now 8/1 joint favourite with Baby Mix for the juvenile hurdling crown, although a couple of firms offer a best price of 10/1.

Prominent racehorse owner John Hales has enjoyed many big race winners over the years and in Al Ferof he has another horse of considerable ability. Despite having had just two outings over fences Hales has revealed that he and trainer Paul Nicholls are considering pitching his horse in against the best in the business and bidding for the Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in March, writes Elliot Slater.

Hales is probably best associated with another outstanding grey in One Man, dual winner of the King George VI Chase as well as triumphing in the Hennessy Gold Cup and in the 1998 Queen Mother Champion Chase, so he knows what it takes to win the coveted two-mile championship event. People following the Queen Mother Champion Chase betting should remember this. Speaking recently to reporters who enquired as to the wellbeing of Al Ferof (a leading candidate for the Irish Independent Arkle Chase at the festival), Hales revealed that connections are delighted with him and are now mulling over the possibility of bypassing the novices’ event and going straight to the ‘Queen Mother’ instead.

That revelation rather set the cat amongst the pigeons as bookmakers scurried to introduce last year’s Supreme Novices Hurdle winner into the betting for the main event, firms going a myriad of prices ranging from as short as 8/1 to as big as 14/1 at present about Al Ferof stepping up from his recent Grade 1 success at Sandown where he kept on bravely in the closing stages to hold the renewed effort of For Non Stop to land the Grade 1 Henry VIII Novices Chase, having won in facile fashion on his first venture over fences when hacking up at Cheltenham in November.

A top priced 7/1 shot to win the Arkle, a decision is unlikely to be announced until after Al Ferof has competed in the ultra-competitive Victor Chandler Chase at Ascot on January 21.

Meanwhile, the World Hurdle betting looks as close as ever and punters will have a tough time in picking a winner.

Willie Mullins’ smart two-mile chaser Golden Silver is almost certain to miss the Grade 1 John Durkan Memorial Chase at Punchestown and is likely to take his chance instead at Cork on the same day in the Grade 2 Hilly Way Chase on his first outing of the current campaign, writes Elliot Slater.

A 25/1 shot for both the Ryanair Chase and available at bigger prices with some firms for the Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in mid-March, the nine-year-old is set to make his belated seasonal reappearance having been absent from public view since running fourth behind Big Zeb in the Grade 1 Boylesports.com Champion Chase at the Punchestown Festival in May.

It appears that nothing has been amiss with the nine-time winner and that his trainer has simply taken the view that after having a demanding time of things last term the gelded son of Mansonnien was entitled to a longer break than usual. Golden Silver’s task at Cork looks a fairly straight-forward one with him having officially having a stone in hand of his next highest rated rival Cooldine, a horse who has been struggling to find his form since the spring. Despite having to give weight away to all his rivals it will be disappointing if the expected market leaders fails to give a very good account of himself. Those looking for Cheltenham tips will be keeping a close eye on his efforts.

Last term saw Golden Silver win four times, including rattling up a hattrick following a second place finish to Big Zeb at Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting with wins at Fairyhouse, Punchestown and Naas, on the second occasion gaining his revenge on Big Zeb in the Tied Cottage Chase. His winning run came to an end when fourth in the Queen Mother Champion Chase behind compatriot Sizing Europe, a race in which he nonetheless stayed on well from the home turn to be nearest at the finish.

The NFL season is already nearing the halfway mark. How is the season shaping up after eight weeks? Who is playing well and who is struggling?

In a nutshell, it is the usual suspects of the Packers, Steelers, Giants and Patriots who are doing well. The Green Bay Packers are the defending Super Bowl Champions and the only unbeaten team in the NFL this year. So it would be no surprise that in NFL betting they are favorites to win the Super Bowl. If they were to do so, they would become the first team since the New England Patriots in 2005 to defend their title.

The form of the San Francisco 49ers is somewhat of a surprise. The powerhouse of the 1980s hasn’t been to the playoffs since 2002. For a side that only missed the playoffs twice between 1981 and 1998, this is quite a drought.

There are two other sides that are experiencing somewhat of a renaissance. The Detroit Lions haven’t played in the postseason since 1999 and haven’t won a playoff game since 1991 but at 6-2 are looking good. Likewise the Buffalo Bills haven’t been to the postseason since 1999 or won a playoff game since 1995.

If they can continue their good form, it would give much happiness to their success starved fans.

There used to be talk if Indianapolis could make it through the whole season without losing a game. Now at 0-8 and Peyton Manning on the sidelines there is talk if they could go the whole season without winning a single game. The 0-7 Miami Dolphins are in a similar situation and there is much betting on the Dolphins going through the season without a single win.

Elsewhere around the league there aren’t that many surprises. In the NFC South, the New Orleans Saints lead the division with a 5-3 record. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Atlanta Falcons are both on 4-3. While Cam Newtown has impressed many with his adjustment to the NFL, it hasn’t resulted in team success as the Carolina Panthers are stuck on 2-6.

Much was expected of the Philadelphia Eagles but they are on 3-4 along with the Dallas Cowboys and Washington Redskins. The New York Giants are in first place on 5-2.

But for the 49ers, the NFC West is a cesspool. The Seattle Seahawks are 2-5 while the Arizona Cardinals and St Louis Rams are both 1-6.

The Pittsburgh Steelers are 6-2 with the Cincinnati Bengals and Baltimore Ravens both at 5-2.

Houston are first in the AFC South at 5-3. If they keep it up, they will go to the playoffs for the first time in their history.

In the AFC West, the San Diego Chargers lost to the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday night meaning that both of them as well as the Oakland Raiders all sit on 4-3.

Arsenal will lose Thomas Vermaelen again after he underwent a minor ankle operation following an injury picked up in the game against Udinese.

The Gunners have started the season poorly and have already lost Jack Wilshere for up to three months.

Vermaelen was just back after missing most of last season due to an Achilles injury and this new set-back will be a blow to Arsenal who have already conceded 11 goals in 3 games this season.

It looks like Per Mertesacker, who was signed on transfer deadline day will be called straight into action.

As of today Nick Heidfeld has left Renault by mutual consent. Bruno Senna is set to take his place for the rest of the season in the team alongside team-mate Vitaly Petrov.

Senna is likely to compete in the the remaining 7 races before Robert Kubica is fit enough to return next season after his Rally accident.

Renault are currently 5th in the Constructors’ world championship.

Federer’s match may have been delayed but he ended up the eventual winner in the US Open fourth-round tie against Juan Monaco, beating him 6-1 6-2 6-0.

The preceding women’s match ran late and the match against Monaco didn’t start until nearly midnight. It didn’t dent is form though and at one point he hit four successive aces.

There is now a possibility that Federer will be Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals if they both progress through the quarter finals.