Joseph O'Brien has faith in Edwulf

Joseph O'Brien has high hopes for Edwulf in the JT McNamara National Hunt Challenge Cup Novices' Chase at Cheltenham after the eight-year-old bounced back to form on his latest start.

Edwulf had blotted his copybook when falling at Navan in February but put that behind him with victory at Naas later that month.

O'Brien was delighted with his latest effort and is expecting a big run, having booked top amateur Derek O'Connor for the ride.

"Edwulf had disappointed us previously, but it was nice to see him come back, do what we had expected him to do earlier in the year," the County Kilkenny trainer told the Irish Independent.

"He jumped very well and it was a great performance. He (O'Connor) has huge experience, knows the track and the horse; he'd be a top-class man if we could get him. The horse would have a good chance."

O'Connor partnered Minella Rocco to victory 12 months ago, while Jamie Codd, successful in 2015 on Cause Of Causes, teams up with A Genie In Abottle for Noel Meade.

"He's looked tough. He got beat the last day by a Grade One horse (Anibale Fly) and he stuck at it," said Meade.

"Jamie Codd is riding him, which is going to be a big help."

Willie Mullins is doubly-represented with Arbre De Vie and Haymount.

His son, Patrick, said of the latter: "Haymount is a fantastic jumper. I wouldn't mind his runs on bad ground as he's a Presenting and wants good ground. He has a squeak in the four miler."

Martello Tower, trained by Mags Mullins, and Gordon Elliott's Tiger Roll, winner of the Triumph Hurdle in 2014, complete the six-strong Irish challenge.

The British charge is led by Nicky Henderson's Beware The Bear, Paul Nicholls' Arpege d'Alene and David Pipe's Champers On Ice.