It has been revealed that Diamond Harry’s involvement in this year’s Cheltenham Gold Cup could be in doubt after the horse suffered breathing difficulties over the weekend.

The former Hennessey Gold Cup winner – who is expected to be a major force at the Cheltenham Festival in March – will now undergo an investigation to try and determined exactly what the problem is.

The fact that Diamond Harry managed to finish 5th in the recent Argento Chase, regardless of any problems, shows the potential of the horse but part-owner Paul Duffy admits that the situation is being assessed.

He said: “We believe he has a breathing problem. Noel Fehily reported he was gasping for air so we are having it investigated – I spoke to Noel yesterday and he thought the horse did very well in light of the problem.”

“Diamond Harry is seeing the vet tomorrow to see what the issue is. It is not impossible he could still go for the Gold Cup, we are still looking at that, but if he can’t make it there are other races in the calendar, like the three-mile chase at Aintree.”

Elsewhere in horse racing news, Tom George has revealed that he will give Baby Mix a vital run before the Cheltenham Festival as he looks to get preparations for the famous event just right.

Speaking about the four-year-old and referring to a poor run in December, George said: “Baby Mix disappointed in the juvenile hurdle. “

“He has been checked over by the vet this morning and everything appears to be normal. It is highly likely we will give him a run in between now and the Festival.”

The event George is planning to run in the lead up to the Festival remains to be seen, but it is hoped that he will come through well and continue to be one of the favourites for the JCB Triumph Hurdle in March.

David Pipe has revealed that the hugely impressive steeplechaser Grands Crus will enjoy a rest with March’s Cheltenham Festival in mind.

The seven-year-old is a major contender for Cheltenham Gold Cup glory of course and after winning the Feltham Chase on Boxing Day, it was expected that this weekend would be when preparations for the famous Festival are stepped up.

However, after consideration to the short-term as well as long-term prospects, Pipe has decided to give this weekend a miss to avoid asking too much of Grands Crus at an important time of year.

The trainer said: “We’ve decided we don’t want to give him a hard race with Cheltenham just around the corner in March.”

“He could run at Newbury on February 11, Betfair Trophy day, in a three-mile novice chase, not in the Denman. The horse is absolutely fine, though, we just decided not to run.”

Whether this turns out to be the right decision will remain to be seen. It will certainly be interesting to see the type of form Grands Crus is in at Newbury in February. Before then, it’s a case of resting up and shifting the focus to other Gold Cup contenders.

Elsewhere in horse racing news, Richard Johnson has spoken positively about the capabilities of Captain Chris, saying that a run at the Gold Cup in March is a distinct possibility for last season’s Arkle Trophy winner.

He said: “The plan at the moment is for him to run in the Argento Chase. I schooled him on Monday and he felt very well. He’s come out pretty well after the King George.”

“I didn’t feel he was quite 100pc there but hopefully he’s coming back to himself and last year, in the spring, he really came to himself.”

I didn’t feel he didn’t stay in the King George, he just didn’t travel and jump the way I know he can.”

“He was fine, but he won the Arkle over two miles and has plenty of pace and he was a bit sluggish in the King George. It just didn’t seem to happen for him.”

“I’m pretty sure he’ll stay the Gold Cup trip of three miles two (furlongs).”

“He’ll be entered in the Ryanair and the Gold Cup, but, obviously, if he can’t put up a bold show on Saturday, he’s going to struggle in the Gold Cup.”

As ever, there are lots of decisions for trainers to make ahead of a crucial few months in the horse racing calendar.

Midnight Chase has emerged as a Cheltenham Gold Cup contender after winning the ‘dress rehearsal’ for the famous event – the Argento Chase.

This victory on Saturday was a significant moment for the 10-year-old and even though the two massive favourites for Gold Cup glory – Long Run and Kauto Star – were not involved, Midnight Chase has shown excellent potential.

Perhaps if either of the two big guns are to perform below par in March, Midnight Chase can take advantage and follow up Saturday’s victory with Gold Cup glory.

Trainer Neil Mulholland is certainly positive about how the Cheltenham Festival might go, saying: “I said before he was as well as he was in December just over a year ago – but older and stronger.”

“Kauto Star and Long Run weren’t here today but this was the Gold Cup without them so we’ll enjoy it. We might be third or fourth in March but we’re a small yard and we’d be very happy with that.”

“Neither Long Run nor Kauto Star were here today, but they’re just about the only ones who weren’t, and look what he’s done to the ones who were here.”

“He was fifth in the Gold Cup last year and he’s in the same sort of form now, except he’s got stronger and more mature.”

Many pundits have their own thoughts on Midnight Chase of course. They believe Mulholland’s hopeful will simply be a pace-setter for Kauto Star and Long Run.

This takes nothing away from victory at the Argento Chase though and nothing away from how focused Midnight Chase should be when it is time for the Gold Cup.

Strange things have happened in horse racing before and they will happen again. Midnight Chase just needs to be there, in the thick of the Gold Cup action, to capitalise if and when they do.

The experienced horse is favourite for the RSA Chase – as has been well documented ad the build-up to Cheltenham continues – but there have also been suggestions of involvement in the biggest race of all – the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Only one of these races will emerge as the seven-year-old’s main target and Pipe admits that this will be determined by ‘the opposition’ for each event.

The trainer said: “Anything can happen to any horse unfortunately and, as we’ve seen in Cheltenham Festivals, some do fall by the wayside, so we have to keep our options open.”

“We’re looking at running him next in the Argento at the end of the month or a novice chase in February and we’ll probably decide next week. He’s in good form and all has gone well since Kempton.”

The Grand National takes place the month after the Cheltenham Festival of course and Pipe was also discussing Junior’s potential involvement at Aintree.

Referring to where the horse stands at this stage of the year, Pipe said: “The Grand National has always been the plan for Junior. He had a long late break, is in great form and not far off a run now. He will run after the weights come out for the Grand National.”

This means that the Cheltenham Festival comes too soon for Junior, which is a shame because many pundits would expect Pipe to follow up the success achieved at Cheltenham last year.

Elsewhere in news related to Cheltenham, high-profile trainer Nicky Henderson has been speaking about his plans for the hurdle events in March.

Referring to how Grandouet, Binocular and Spirit Son are getting on in their preparations, he said: “Grandouet has done nothing wrong this season. It would be reasonably safe to say he would have won first time at Wincanton before he fell at the second last and he proved that with his next two runs.”

“Spirit Son looked good throughout last year and both myself and Barry Geraghty felt last year’s Cheltenham Festival was a year too soon for him”

“Binocular’s performance over Christmas at Kempton was good. He has won it before and won it again – it is funny, we were pleased with him but never quite satisfied.”

It really does get you in the mood for Cheltenham when these type of views are discussed. Who will be in form come 12th March? Who will we all be talking about by the 17th March?

Not long until we find out!

Kauto Star will go for a historic third Gold Cup win after the 34 entries for the prestigious race were announced on Thursday.

The iconic 11-year-old made history by becoming the first horse to regain the Cheltenham crown and will now go for a third win in five attempts to join Arkle and Best Mate in an elite club of triple winners.

Standing in his way is great rival Long Run, who he pipped in the Boxing Day King Georges Stakes to demonstrate his ability to the world after rumours trainer Paul Nicholls would send him into retirement after a poor 2010/11, to back up a further success over his rival earlier in the year at the BetFair Chase.

Jockeyed by Sam Waley-Cohen, Long Run took victory in the race last year to leave Kauto Star and fellow rival Denman trailing behind, and with Denman now retired, the race is being billed as a show down between the two.

Champion trainer Nicholls has also entered Poquelin, The Minack, Tidal Bay and What A Friend, who was fourth last season.

Long Run’s trainer Nicky Henderson has handed Finian’s Rainbow a surprise entry and has also engaged the long absent Burton Port.

The Irish have a strong contingent in the race with no less than eight entries as they search for their first Gold Cup winner since War of Attrition emerged victorious in 2006.

Most notable of all is China Rock, who hasn’t been seen being pulled up in last year’s race, with Trainer Mouse Morris revealing he had received stem cell treatment in order to aid his recovery from injury.

“He had stem cell treatment, like War Of Attrition received, afterwards and has been back in training quite a while now. “ said Morris.

“The ground is important to him as he wants a decent surface. Obviously, every day is a bonus when a horse comes back from a tendon injury like his but he’s going well and the plan is to head to Cheltenham.”

Venetia Williams has admitted that a late decision will be made on Mon Mome’s involvement in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. It has been made clear that the priority this year is the Grand National, but involvement at Cheltenham is still a distinct possibility.

Everyone remembers 2009 when Mon Mome won the famous event at Aintree at odds of 100-1 and this was without doubt a fantastic day for all involved. However, injury problems – as well as falling at last year’s Grand National – have meant that it has been a difficult couple of years since this famous day.

However, the veteran horse is back in competitive action after coming through a tough hurdle event on New Year’s Day and this has got punters talking about a memorable few months for the 12-year-old.

Referring to the decisions that need to be made, Williams said: “He’s fine and he’ll certainly have an entry in the Gold Cup, although when he ran in it before (third in 2010) I only made a firm decision on the day so it may be a late call as he must have soft ground.”

“There are one or two options for him and I’ve still not managed to win a race with him over hurdles, so putting him in a novice hurdle somewhere is certainly an option.”

Elsewhere in horse racing news, Noel Meade trained Monksland confirmed his place at the Cheltenham Festival after impressing at the Slaney Novice Hurdle at Naas.

Referring to this race specifically and what it means for the rest of the year, Meade said: “That went exactly to plan. I thought he’d win, to be honest, as he is very good. He was involved in a serious piece of work at Fairyhouse where he finished second to Bog Warrior, and I think he had a bit up his sleeve.”

“He has done everything right since and jumps well. He is good enough for Cheltenham and he will go there for the Neptune. I’m not sure whether he will run before that as he is easy to get fit.”

“He worked well on Tuesday morning on soft ground and should handle better ground. He had earplugs in as he used to be very nervous, but he has relaxed and never turned a hair today.”

Meade is just one of several horses looking to get their preparation for the 2012 Cheltenham Festival bang on the money of course, so watch this space for more Cheltenham news.

The horse is set to run in the Argento Chase at Cheltenham on the 28th January and Webber could use his performance in this as the basis for his decision.

Speaking about his plans for the Time For Rupert – who won the graduation chase at Newbury recently said: “His lad let me ride him on Monday and it felt like riding a 17-hand kangaroo he was so full of himself after two weeks off after Newbury.”

“The plan is to go to Cheltenham at the end of the month for the Argento. We’re still looking at the Gold Cup, although he may have an entry in one of the handicaps before then.”

“Obviously he’s some way off Kauto Star and Long Run at the moment, and it’s going to be a very good battle for third and fourth and who knows what might happen on the day.”

“I’m tempted by the Racing + Chase at Kempton, though I fear three miles around there may be too sharp for him. We didn’t even enter him in the King George.”

“There’s also a three-and-a-half-mile race at Haydock but that could be very deep ground. I think if we plan for Cheltenham Trials day then we’ll know where we are.”

There are of course many decisions to be made by trainers, jockeys and punters in the next couple of months as the build up for the 2012 Cheltenham Festival steps up a level.

Elsewhere in Cheltenham related news, the Festival have re-named the 2012 National Hunt Chase as the Diamond Jubilee National Hunt Chase in honour of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

Speaking about the decision, Managing Director of the Festival Edward Gillespie said: “The Royal connection with Cheltenham is something we are particularly proud of and we are delighted to be marking The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee year by re-naming the most historic race of The Festival in her honour.”

“In recent years, the Diamond Jubilee National Hunt Chase has been restored to its former glory and is now the foremost novices’ chase for long distance steeplechasers.”

“I’m sure that the 2012 running will produce a thrilling spectacle and highlight the talents of more big-race winners of the future.”

The race takes place on the 14th March 2012 and acts as a significant part of the festival’s four day racing schedule.

Referring to the potential of the chaser, Hobbs said: “We were pleased with his comeback in the Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter, even though he unseated.”

“The only disappointing thing in the King George was he’s normally a horse who jumps and travels very well and he didn’t do either, although he stayed on alright.”

“The finishing position was satisfactory but he didn’t appear to be at his best.”

“The trip is a bit of a concern but he’s a better horse on good ground, which is likely at Cheltenham, although finding it before then is the trouble.”

In terms of the races Captain Chris could take part in during the build-up to Cheltenham, he could target Argento Chase at Cheltenham later this month or possibly the Aon Chase next month.

Elsewhere in news related to Cheltenham, trainer Alan King has stated his belief that Invictus – who ran a disappointing Dipper Novices’ Chase at Cheltenham will be back in form before long.

Despite showing excellent attributes to win his first two races over fences, Invictus looked all over the place at Cheltenham and left punters wondering about what the rest of 2012 will bring.

However, King revealed afterwards that there was a explanation for the dip in form and insisted that Invictus will be a contender again before long.

He said: “Invictus lost a shoe and was quite sore afterwards, and, while I hate making excuses, I am sure that he is better than that.”

“He never travelled like he can and could not get into a rhythm. But we will hopefully have him back out in three or four weeks as he needs more experience of the bigger tracks.”

The 12-year-old dual Cheltenham Gold Cup winner broke new ground when he became the first horse to win the Kempton classic five times in his career, which when added to his successes at the famous Cheltenham race give him one of the more impressive CV’s in the sports history.

After his convincing win at Kempton ahead of challengers Long Run and Master Minded, while victory at the Bet Fair chase in the lead up to his win in the King George had further dispelled claims the fan favourite was heading for retirement.

Now with his recent win on Boxing Day prompting discussions of his standing in the sports history, Smith believes his charge can more than hold his own against some of the more illustrious names from years gone by.

“It has been very interesting reading about the comparisons with the greats of the past,” Smith said.

“Obviously, this is an exceptional horse. I’m from the golfing world, where you look at Tiger Woods against the likes of Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player back to Gene Sarazen and Bobby Jones, and I think it’s very difficult to compare stars from different eras.

“Kauto Star’s era is very, very competitive. In the days of Golden Miller and Arkle after the War, there were a lot of burlier chasers around.

“Kauto Star is a different build – he’s a more athletic type of horse to when you look at pictures of horses like Arkle, Flyingbolt, Mill House and Golden Miller.

“He has won everything he can and has been so adaptable – dropping down to win two Tingle Creeks, but also being able to win two Gold Cups and four Betfair Chases.” He added.

Kauto Star could now be aimed at emulating Arkle – whose three Gold Cup wins amongst other feats prompted many to herald him as one of the sport’s finest during his heyday in the 1960’s – if he is given the chance to add to his two wins in March.

With fierce rival Denman retiring last year the veteran Gelding will be aiming for a fitting end to his career with a win in the famous race.

One of the best steeplechasers around, Long Run has often needed earplugs to relax, but trainer Nicky Henderson has revealed that the team have trained the defending champion suitably in the last few weeks.

Speaking about Long Run’s preparations, Henderson said: “We have spent a lot of time settling him down and have always run him in earplugs. That helps him through the preliminaries and everything else, but we’ve probably decided to take them out now because he is very relaxed and possibly a little bit over relaxed.”

“We will be changing a few things but I don’t think we will be taking Kauto Star on up front. We are hoping that the extra distance at Cheltenham and the hill are what are going to save us.”

Long Run will need some competitive action before the Cheltenham Festival though and Henderson believes this could come at the Betfair Denman Chase next month.

The trainer continued: “I think the Denman Chase is a possibility. It would do him good to have another run. He’s come back from the King George in great form and one’s assuming Kauto is not going to go there.”

“I wouldn’t want another battle with him on the way – two is enough so far. I’d be inclined all being well to go there. It might be a bit ground dependent.”

“If all’s well in a fortnight’s time, there’s every chance he’d go there.”

In other Cheltenham related news, it has been revealed that a decision on reigning dual Champion Chase winner Master Minded future in racing may not be made for another year.

Owner Clive Smith said: “I was down at the yard on Monday and Dan Skelton gave me a good summary of the injury in detail, to which Paul Nicholls added some points