10 Ultra Competitive Handicaps In Prospect

Massive entries are revealed today for the 10 handicaps that form an integral part of The Festival at Cheltenham. There are a record 116 in the WILLIAM HILL TROPHY HANDICAP CHASE, run on Tuesday, March 13, among them a string of high-class performers including 2006 winner Kelami, Sir Rembrandt, Monkerhostin, Idle Talk and Juveigneur.

The 47 entries in the SPORTING INDEX HANDICAP CHASE, run over Cheltenham's unique cross-country course include both the inaugural 2005 winner Spot Thedifference and Native Jack, who scored last year.

The FRED WINTER JUVENILE NOVICES' HANDICAP HURDLE has drawn 113 entries including eight trained by David Pipe and a record 33 from Ireland.

Pipe accounts for seven of the 139 entered in the CORAL CUP on Wednesday, March 14, including Whispered Secret, a winner at Cheltenham on January 29, and Acambo, who could bid to bounce back from a disappointing recent run in the totesport Gold Trophy.

John Smith's Grand National contender Liberthine - the 2005 Racing Post Plate winner - is one of 118 engaged in the FULKE WALWYN KIM MUIR HANDICAP CHASE where she is set to be partnered by amateur Sam Waley-Cohen while Flintoff could bid to carry the colours of England cricket star Andrew Flintoff to victory.

The JEWSON NOVICES' HANDICAP CHASE on Thursday, March 15, has 109 entered including the exciting New Little Bric, trained by Paul Nicholls. The ex-German trained Siberion could represent his new trainer Tony Martin.

Seasons Holidays Queen Mother Champion Chase contender Foreman has been given an alternative engagement in the RACING POST PLATE, in which Paul Nicholls accounts for seven of the 80 entries.

Rhinestone Cowboy is one of 71 entries for the PERTEMPS FINAL, while Nicky Henderson has four chances of again landing the JOHNNY HENDERSON GRAND ANNUAL CHASE, run in memory of the trainer's father. Foreman is another of the 57 entries.

Desert Quest, who landed a gamble in the 2006 running, is one of 125 engaged in this year's VINCENT O'BRIEN COUNTY HANDICAP HURDLE, which will bring the curtain down on The Festival on Friday, March 16.

Andy Clifton, Communications Manager at Cheltenham Racecourse, commented: 'There are few more sought after prizes all season than The Festival's 10 handicaps. They superbly complement the week's championship contests and their continued appeal is demonstrated by a total of 975 entries this year including a record 251 from Ireland.'