Cheltenham novice entries revealed

Cousin Vinny and Hurricane Fly are both among the entries for the williamhill.com Supreme Novices' Hurdle following the latest entry stage.

Willie Mullins' duo are currently disputing favouritism for the Cheltenham Festival curtain-raiser and could be joined by stablemates Kempes, Mikael D'Haguenet and Persian City, although all horses are engaged in other novice events at the meeting.

There are a number of other interesting Irish contenders with the likes of Zaarito also prominent in the ante-post market.

Nicky Henderson appears to have a strong hand with the likes of Ainama, Mad Max and Eradicate all among the 68 possibles at this stage.

Red Moloney and Doeslessthanme are just two of a host of entries for powerhouse trainer Howard Johnson.

Other leading fancies such as Torphichen and Medermit have also stood their ground.

Diamond Harry leads the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle charge.

Nick Williams' unbeaten six-year-old is clear ante-post favourite for the March 11th feature, for which 77 horses have remained in the shake-up.

The Alan King-trained Karabak is prominent in the betting and is still a factor for the Grade One contest at the Cheltenham Festival.

Stablemates Cousin Vinny and Hurricane Fly, who are jostling for favouritism for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle, remain entered in the Ballymore on behalf of the Willie Mullins yard.

Mullins is also responsible for the smart Mikael D'Haguenet, who has won his last four races.

Other promising candidates include Mad Max, Pandorama, Bensalem, Quwetwo and Cape Tribulation.

Long-time ante-post favourite Zaynar remains among 58 possible contenders for the JCB Triumph Hurdle.

The four-year-old was well backed for this Festival contest even prior to his hurdling debut and he has only enhanced his reputation with two comfortable successes since.

Walkon, Starluck and Master Of Arts look like giving him most to do in the Grade One contest and all are still among the possibles.

Ireland has not provided a Triumph Hurdle winner since 2002 but Oliver Brady's Ebadiyan heads the raiding party in this year's renewal.

Art Sleuth and Mourad are two of Willie Mullins' contenders for the race, while Lethal Weapon, Tharawaat and Jumbo Rio all come into consideration.

Paul Nicholls' classy Flat recruit Hebridean could bid to follow in the footsteps of last year's winner and stablemate Celestial Halo, while Excape, King O'The Gypsies and Tyrrells Wood are all on the list.

There were no shock withdrawals for the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle.

Key protagonists from either side of the Irish Sea have held sway for the March 13th contest, for which 70 horses remain in the hunt.

Bensalem generally tops the ante-post lists and spearheads a strong team from the Alan King yard.

Junior, Midnight Sail, Thetwincamdrift also hold entries for the Barbury Castle handler.

Willie Mullins looks to have a powerful squad with Mikael D'Haguenet, who is also entered in the Ballymore Properties Novices' Hurdle, and stablemate Quiscover Fontaine still in the equation.

Paul Nolan's Alpha Ridge and the Noel Meade-trained Pandorama are other raiders worthy of respect.

The Paul Nicholls-trained Pride Of Dulcote also looks a major player - as do Cape Tribulation, Tarablaze, On Raglan Road and Chariot Charger.