Black Jack Favourite For Cleeve Honours

Black Jack Ketchum has been installed as the 8-11 favourite to beat Inglis Drever in round one of what could prove to be a fascinating rivalry.

The pair feature among a field of 15 for the Byrne Bros Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham on Saturday and Cashmans expect Jonjo O'Neill's unbeaten eight-year-old to hold sway over Howard Johnson's 2005 World Hurdle hero.

O'Neill has only taken the wraps off his pride and joy once this season, which led to an effortless success in the Relkeel Hurdle.

Inglis Drever returned to the track in triumphant fashion after being off for 11 months with a hard-fought success in the Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury.

As well as the two big guns, Henry Daly's Mighty Man, winner of the Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot, could also be set to line up, although his trainer is keen for the ground to dry up.

'Mighty Man's participation is entirely dependent on the ground, as he does not like it testing,' he said.

'Richard [Johnson] got off him after Ascot last time and said that he hated it - he said he won despite the ground and not because of it.

'He's fine after the race though and in good order, but he just wants better ground ? I think good going suits him best.'

Other possibles include Colin Tizzard's improving novice Flight Leader, Nicky Henderson's Temoin and Peter Bowen's Irish Wolf.

(C) PA Sport