Cheltenham Festival: Tuesday entries including the Champion Hurdle
All of the big guns remain in the Unibet Champion Hurdle at the six-day entry stage with Buveur D'Air, Apple's Jade and Laurina joined by 11 other possibles.
Big guns remain in Champion Hurdle
Click here for Unibet Champion Hurdle six-day decs
Buveur D'Air, Apple's Jade and Laurina are among 14 entries for the Unibet Champion Hurdle, the opening day feature at next week's Cheltenham Festival.
The meeting kicks off on Tuesday, March 12, with the focus on the Champion Hurdle match-up between dual winner Buveur D'Air and the in-form Apple's Jade.
She will get a 7lb sex allowance along with Laurina and Verdana Blue, a stablemate of Buveur D'Air who beat him in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton.
Nicky Henderson also has Brain Power entered along with Buveur D'Air and Verdana Blue, while Laurina's trainer, Willie Mullins, also has Melon and Sharjah as possibles.
Apple's Jade's trainer, Gordon Elliott, could also be represented by last year's Triumph Hurdle winner Farclas.
Espoir D'Allen, Global Citizen, Silver Streak, Supasundae and Vision Des Flos complete the entries.
Castle added to Arkle field
Click here for Racing Post Arkle Trophy six-day decs
Clondaw Castle has been supplemented into the Racing Post Arkle for which there are 21 six-day declarations.
Tom George’s charge was a leading fancy for the Close Brothers Novice Handicap Chase at the Festival following impressive wins at Leicester and Huntingdon but has been switched to the Grade One feature instead.
Lalor, Glen Forsa Duc des Genievres, Defi Du Seuil, Hardline, Paloma Blue, Kaslhinov and Knocknanuss all stand their ground.
Willie Mullins has the largest team at the moment with five acceptors (Duc des Genievres, Real Steel, Voix du Reve, Camelia de Cotte and Pravalaguna).
Walters pair head Supreme entries
Click here for Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle six-day decs
Al Dancer and Angels Breath head the Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle entries as 27 stood their ground for the Cheltenham Festival curtain raiser.
The Dai Walters-owned pair are trained by Nigel Twiston-Davies and Nicky Henderson respectively and they go into the race on the back of contrasting preparations in the Betfair Hurdle and Sky Bet Dovecote.
Henderson also has Mister Fisher to call on, while the Tolworth one-two, Elixir De Nutz and Grand Sancy, represent Colin Tizzard and Paul Nicholls. Tizzard also has Beaufort West in there.
The Irish challenge is traditionally strong in the race and Willie Mullins has two possibles in Aramon and Klassical Dream, while Gordon Elliot has Felix Desjy, Vision d'Honneur, Authorizo, Lethal Steps and Surin to call on.
The latter trio are four-year-olds and Joseph O'Brien has two of that age group at this entry stage, with Fakir d'Oudairies and Gardens Of Babylon both in the race for JP McManus.
Among the best of the rest, Olly Murphy could run both Itchy Feet and Thomas Darby, while Mouse Morris could run Sams Profile and Tokay Dojay is in there for Dan Skelton.
Copper favourite for Ultima
Click here for Ultima Handicap Chase six-day decs
Ante-post favourite Give Me A Copper features among 48 six-day entries for the Ultima Handicap Chase at Cheltenham.
Paul Nicholls gave an upbeat mention on the horse during his recent Festival media stable visit and he has been a significant market mover in recent weeks.
Sub Lieutentant tops the weights for Henry de Bromhead while Minella Rocco, Mister Whitaker and last year’s one-two Coo Star Sivola and Singlefarmpayment all remain on target for the race.
One notable absentee is Janika who has other options later in the week.
Jet added to Mares’ field
Click here for OLBG Mares' Hurdle six-day decs
Jester Jet has been supplemented into the OLBG Mares’ Hurdle for which there are 22 six-day acceptors.
Tom Lacey’s charge won a Listed contest at Haydock last time and faces a clash with reigning champion Benie des Dieux at Prestbury Park. She is one of five Willie Mullins entries along with Laurina, who is expected to contest the Unibet Champion Hurdle, Elimay, Good Thyne Tara and Limini.
Gordon Elliott has also left another leading Champion Hurdle fancy, Apple’s Jade, in this and also has Lackaneen Leader and Tintagle declared.
Close shave for Brothers hopefuls
Click here for Close Brothers Novices' Handicap Chase six-day decs
There will be some anxious moments for some owners and trainers on Sunday when the final decs for the Close Brothers Novices' Chase come through.
A maximum field size of 20 mean some will be disappointed and the last horse guaranteed a run at the six-day stage is Paul Nolan's Quamino, rated 138, a winner at the Dublin Racing Festival.
Highway One O One heads the weights with Gordon Elliott's Cubomania, Joseph O'Brien's Tower Bridge and Philip Hobbs' Springtown Lake interesting entries.
Squouateur is number 21 on the list, with the likes of King Of Realms, Dell oro, Azzerti, El Terremoto, Larry, Another Crick and Brelan D'As needing horses to come out to get a run.
No Champagne in finale
Click here for National Hunt Chase six-day decs
Champagne Classic is a notable absentee from 24 acceptors for the National Hunt Chase.
Jamie Codd was expected to partner Gordon Elliott’s charge and in his absence the trainer relies on Blow By Blow and Gun Digger.
Nicky Henderson is responsible for the ante-post favourite OK Corral while Willie Mullins’ Ballyward and Joseph O’Brien’s Mortal are other leading fancies.
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