The Cheltenham Festival countdown stepped up another gear today with the publication of entries for the 11 handicaps including the £40,000 Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase.

The unique staying event has been won by Irish-trained horses every year since first introduced at the 2005 Festival, and 15 of the 33 entries in this year's race are trained in Ireland.

They include last year's winner A New Story and a five-strong entry from cross country specialist Enda Bolger that includes Garde Champetre, L'Ami and King Johns Castle. Philip Hobbs has entered Fair Along and Dream Alliance.