Barton included in Chase entries

A strong line-up of 82 entries was unveiled today for the Stg£125,000 Royal & SunAlliance Chase at Cheltenham, 21 more than in 2001.

Barton, who also has an entry in the Arkle Challenge Trophy Chase, has been given the option of this longer event on March 13th.

His possible rivals include three from France, Guillaume Macaire`s pair Japhet and Heros Collonges, who won at Kempton on Saturday, and the Francois Doumen-trained Innox.

The record 24-strong entry from this side of the Irish Sea includes Colonel Braxton, a leading novice hurdler last season who finished second to Give Over at Leopardstown last month, Oa Baldixe, an eight-length winner at Fairyhouse this month, and Takagi, a seven-length winner at Naas recently.

An intriguing entry is the Dermot Weld-trained Ballyconnell, who is unraced under Rules, but successful in point-to-points in the autumn.

The British based entries includes the Nicky Henderson-trained Artic Jack as well as Cornish Gale and Valley Henry, from the Paul Nicholls stable, and Maximize, winner of the Grade One Pertemps Feltham Novices` Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day.

Others are Silver Streak and Gola Cher, who finished first and second in a novices` chase at Cheltenham last month, and a seven-strong contingent from Martin Pipe, including Carryonharry and Royal Auclair.

The Royal & SunAlliance Chase has been a particularly strong pointer to the future in recent years.

The 1998 race went to Florida Pearl, who has since been placed in two Tote Cheltenham Gold Cups and won this season`s Pertemps King George VI Chase at Kempton.

The 1999 winner Looks Like Trouble - who returned to winning form at Wincanton on Saturday - won the following year`s Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup, while Lord Noelie, successful in the 2000 renewal, is a leading contender for chasing`s Blue Riband this year.