Huge Entries For 10 Festival Handicaps

An unprecedented total of 1,034 entries are revealed today for The Festival's 10 handicaps, with ultra-competitive contests in prospect. No less than seven of the races boast record entries and several championship contenders have been given additional opportunities in the handicaps.

The 104 WILLIAM HILL TROPHY HANDICAP CHASE entries include 19-trained by Martin Pipe, among them Therealbandit, Joacci and It Takes Time, while the 16 Irish-trained possibles include Robin Cook Memorial Gold Cup winner Sir Oj, dual totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup third Harbour Pilot and the Tony Martin-trained Dun Doire.

Last year's winner Spot Thedifference is among 44 entries for the SPORTING INDEX HANDICAP CHASE, which was added to The Festival line-up in 2005, while the FRED WINTER JUVENILE HANDICAP - another new addition last year - has attracted no less than 90 four-year-olds.

The CORAL CUP has the biggest entry of any of the handicaps, with a record 151 horses going forward including last year's winner Idole First while another 2005 Festival hero who could bid to repeat his success is Juveigneur, one of 124 FULKE WALWYN KIM MUIR HANDICAP CHASE entries.

Foreman, Turpin Green, Star De Mohaison and Wild Passion are just a few of the classy 90-strong entry for the second renewal of the JEWSON NOVICES' HANDICAP CHASE while the RACING POST PLATE has attracted 109 entries for the first running under its new sponsorship.

The PERTEMPS FINAL (HANDICAP HURDLE) has a record 79 entries while the JOHNNY HENDERSON GRAND ANNUAL CHASE has 84 entered including six trained by Nicky Henderson, whose father is remembered in the race title.

The 2006 Festival is set to end on a competitive note with no less than 131 entries in the

VINCENT O'BRIEN COUNTY HANDICAP HURDLE, which brings the curtain down on proceedings on Friday, March 17.

Edward Gillespie, Cheltenham's Managing Director, commented: 'The 10 handicaps form an integral part of The Festival and their popularity is illustrated by the huge number of entries this year.'