DESPITE not having run for 252 days, reigning Champion Hurdler Rooster Booster (3.05) is unlikely to let his crown slip in the Bula Hurdle at Cheltenham.

In the 2002 running of the £75,000 showpiece the Philip Hobbs-trained grey did not let his supporters down, pulling well clear of the opposition once Richard Johnson engaged overdrive at the second last flight.

Rooster Booster then returned to Prestbury Park in March, and if anything was even more impressive when proving he was indeed king of the two-mile hurdling division by swamping a high-class field at the festival meeting.

In the preceding Tripleprint Gold Cup, Young Spartacus (2.30) owes us a few quid, having failed to fire when carrying the nap vote in the Paddy Power Gold Cup over course and distance in November.

Most uncharacteristically Henry Daly's smart ten-year-old didn't jump a twig that day and was toiling from some way out after a series of sloppy leaps. Maybe he was caught out by the fast ground, or perhaps just a little ring-rusty following a long summer holiday.

Whatever the cause for the lack-lustre display, such is the superb record of Young Spartacus on the big occasion, he's got to be worth one more chance at current odds of 14-1 or better, provided punters are prepared to shop around.

The reason Young Spartacus is such an attractive price stems from the fact Richard Johnson has chosen to partner Daly's other runner, Hand Inn Hand, installed as the red-hot 7-2 favourite by most of the leading layers for the £100,000 pre-Christmas bonanza.

Johnson's decision must have been agonising, after all just eight months ago he steered Daly's second-string to a famous victory in the Mildmay Of Flete Challenge Trophy at the Festival.

Given that evidence, it is entirely possible Richard has made an horrendous mistake, in which case he'll be sick as the proverbial parrot should Mark Bradburne and Young Spartacus whip the hide off their more fancied stable-mate.

Alan King's Trouble At Bay (12.15) has made a smooth transition from useful flat handicapper to fluent hurdler over the past three months.

King's three-year-old has already attracted significant cash for the Triumph Hurdle and to my mind possesses the class to further his ambitions by beating off a powerful field in the opening Tripleprint Juvenile Novices' Hurdle.

Trouble At Bay's latest success, achieved nine days ago at Wincanton, could only be described as workmanlike at best. However, there were valid reasons for not stamping his authority during the early part of that particular contest because the easy-going nature of the course simply did not play to the gelding's strengths.

Now back at a venue where his stamina will be stretched and tested in far more vigorous style, Trouble At Bay is much likelier to show his true colours.

King could also be in the money in the finale at Doncaster courtesy of Suspendid (3.20), who bids to repeat last year's victory in the Neville Crump Memorial Handicap Chase.

Captain Crump would most certainly have approved of Suspendid, a big old-fashioned type of chaser.

The horse is just the sort of jumper the legendary three-time Grand National winning Middleham handler excelled with during his long and distinguished career.

If all else fails on a brilliant day of predominantly jumping action, I might be tempted to revert to the flat and have my final shilling on Parker (9.30).

He is partnered by the wily Mick Fenton in the very last race of the evening, the Bet Direct Handicap at Wolverhanmpton.

* Hugs Dancer has left James Given's yard for a new career in Australia.

A half-share in the six-year-old has been sold and he will now join the Tony McEvoy yard.

Given said Hugs Dancer, who finished ninth in the Melbourne Cup on his last start, has gone into quarantine.

The horse will shortly be returning to Australia, where he will again be aimed at the prestigious staying event.

''It's very sad that he's got to go, and everyone in the yard is pretty upset about it,'' said the Gainsborough trainer.

''He's been part of the furniture for the last four years and every season when he comes back in you know you're going to get two or three big wins with him.''

The high point of Hugs Dancer's career came when he won the 2002 Ebor Handicap at York, and he also took the Chester Cup and the Goodwood Stakes as well as finishing third to Persian Punch in the Doncaster Cup.

Given added: ''He's taken us to some big races and big days, but the highlight has to be the Ebor.

"It's such a tough race and to win from such an awful draw was an amazing performance. It has to have been his finest hour.''