Ketchum Tops World Runners

Black Jack Ketchum and Inglis Drever head a field of 15 for Thursday's Ladbrokes World Hurdle at Cheltenham.

The fine weather in Gloucestershire over the last few days has dried the ground sufficiently enough for Jonjo O'Neill to declare Black Jack Ketchum, despite his reservations over soft ground.

Howard Johnson sends Inglis Drever on the long trip from his County Durham base as the eight-year-old bids to regain the title he won in 2005.

Blazing Bailey beat the aforementioned duo in the Cleeve Hurdle in January and he reopposes while last year's third Mighty Man represents Henry Daly.

Francois Doumen sends Kasbah Bliss from France for the three-mile event which he won twice with Baracouda in 2002 and 2003.

The fairer sex are well represented by the novice Labelthou, United and Asian Maze, who is also due to run in the Champion Hurdle.

Paul Nicholls' supplementary entry Natal is to take his chance while Nicky Henderson's Temoin and Dr Richard Newland's Overstrand are other interesting runners.

Fire Dragon, Lough Derg, Over The Creek and Strangely Brown complete the line-up.

(C) PA Sport