Cheltenham novice hurdle news

A total of 59 horses have stood their ground following the latest forfeit stage for the Stan James Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Last season's Champion Bumper hero Cue Card heads the ante-post lists after winning two of his three starts over obstacles, while Nicky Henderson has a powerful hand with Spirit Son, Sprinter Sacre and Gibb River among his team.

Totesport Trophy hero Recession Proof is set to take his chance for John Quinn and Zaidpour is one of several entries for Willie Mullins, who has the likes of Day Of A Lifetime and So Young also in the reckoning.

Irish champion trainer Mullins has taken out a few as well, including Bishopsfurze.

A total of 27 have been scratched with the unbeaten The Real Article another who will not be lining up.

Plenty of those that remain in the Supreme also hold an entry in the longer Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle.

Zaidpour and So Young have the option of either race, but Oscars Well and Bobs Worth have the Neptune as their sole objective.

There were no major surprises among the 28 scratchings.

The staying novices head for the three-mile Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle and there are still 69 remaining entries.

Howard Johnson's exciting Haydock winner Back In Focus heads the betting, while Court In Motion, the horse that chased him home on Merseyside, is another major contender along with Join Together.

A total of 34 horses were removed from the race.

The final major novice race is for the juveniles, the JCB Triumph Hurdle.

Henderson's Grandouet and the Dermot Weld-trained filly Unaccompanied head the market, with Sam Winner and A Media Luz not far behind.

Edward O'Grady's Rigidity made a winning debut over hurdles at Gowran last week but is a notable absentee from the Triumph entries.