Nickname Declared For Queen Mother

Martin Brassil has declared Nickname among a field of 12 for the Seasons Holidays Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

The Grand National-winning trainer has repeatedly stated his horse would not line up unless the ground was testing, having won his last four starts on soft or heavy going.

It is still on the soft side at Cheltenham, which will also not inconvenience likely favourite Well Chief.

David Pipe's eight-year-old returned from a long lay-off at Newbury last month when winning the Game Spirit Chase.

Runner-up on that day, Ashley Brook, will also go to post along with Voy Por Ustedes, who was disappointingly unseated in the Game Spirit.

The Irish will also be represented by last year's winner Newmill, impressive over hurdles recently, and by Justified.

Others declared in the most prestigious two-mile chase of the year are Dempsey and Mister McGoldrick for Carl Llewellyn, Oneway, River City and French outsiders Sybellius D'Artaix and Marble Garden.

Monet's Garden was an absentee, however, meaning he will attempt the Ryanair Chase instead.

(C) PA Sport