Drever Could Make History In Ladbrokes World Hurdle

The Howard Johnson-trained Inglis Drever, winner of the Ladbrokes World Hurdle in 2005 and 2007, could bid to become the first ever three-time winner of the famous staying event as he is among 41 entries revealed today for the 2008 renewal.

The nine-year-old is 6/4 favourite with the sponsors to complete the unprecedented hat-trick and David Williams of Ladbrokes said: 'If Inglis Drever has not yet cemented his place in Festival folklore, another victory in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle would certainly put that right. He dominates the betting but with 41 tremendous entries, we fully expect there to be more than the occasional plunge between now and mid-March.'

Among his potential rivals are Blazing Bailey, Wichita Lineman, Gaspara, Afsoun, Faasel and Redemption ? who finished in that order when they were the six finishers in the Steel Plate And Sections Hurdle at Cheltenham on New Year's Day.

The 2006 winner My Way De Solzen, who has been running over fences this season, has been given an entry while Gaspara's trainer David Pipe has two other chances of landing a race his father Martin won twice in Lough Derg, winner of the Grade One BGC Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot on December 22, and Raslan.

Dual Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle winner Hardy Eustace is one of nine Irish-trained entries along with the likes of Aitmatov, Al Eile and Ebaziyan, who are all also engaged in the 2008 Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle.

Inglis Drever is Timeform's top-rated entry on 166, ahead of My Way De Solzen on 164 and Al Eile on 160.