Richard Dunwoody will ride the fancied Irish hope Colonel Yeager in the Citreon Supreme Novices Hurdle at Cheltenham. Trainer Martin Lynch confirmed the booking yesterday for the gelding. Dunwoody rode Colonel Yeager to a bloodless success at odds of 1 to 7 at Punchestown last time out but the horse had been ridden in each of his previous six races by Ruby Walsh.

Colonel Yeager will be the first Cheltenham Festival runner as a trainer for Co Westmeath-based Lynch who won the Mildmay Of Flete on Elfast during his riding career.

One of Colonel Yeager's main rivals in the race will be the Noel Meade-trained Cardinal Hill who came through a vital gallop with flying colours on Thursday.

Cardinal Hill had caused his connections concern when working "flat" a fortnight ago but proved he is back on good terms with himself this week.

The former Gold Cup winner Imperial Call pleased his big race jockey Ruby Walsh in a schooling session over six fences on Thursday and remains on course for another tilt at the Gold Cup.