Mullins trio in Betfair Hurdle mix

Sign Of A Victory heads the weights for the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury on Saturday after 32 horses stood their ground in the prestigious handicap hurdle at the five-day confirmation stage.

Nicky Henderson's charge was last seen finishing a distant fourth to Faugheen in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton but had previously won a handicap hurdle at Ascot in good style from stablemate Dawalan.

Henderson, seeking a sixth win in this race, has three other possibles that include Dawalan, who was a winner at Musselburgh on Sunday. Vasco du Ronceray, successful at Haydock in November and Snake Eyes, who was a beaten favourite for the BoyleSports Hurdle, complete the Henderson party.

Ante-post favourite Calipto carries plenty of confidence from the Paul Nicholls stable despite being absent since suffering defeat to Tiger Roll at Cheltenham in October.

"I am expecting testing going at Newbury on Saturday where we will have several fancied runners. Calipto has been favourite for the Betfair Hurdle since the weights came out," the Ditcheat handler told www.paulnichollsracing.com.

"I toyed with the idea of giving him a breathing op in the summer as he was a bit thick of his wind and finally had it done when he was beaten by Tiger Roll at Cheltenham in October.

"He actually ran all right that day but choked towards the end of the race and was off to the vets within 48 hours.

"I am delighted by the way Calipto has been working recently, he's quite unexposed and I'm expecting a big run on Saturday."

Harry Fry, formerly assistant to Nicholls, has made a big impression since starting out on his own and has two leading fancies in Activial and Jolly's Cracked It.

Dan Skelton, another ex-assitant at Ditcheat, has left in Fascino Rustico, but the highly-promising novice is not guaranteed a place in the maximum 24-horse field.

Among others in the mix are the Warren Greatrex-trained Seedling, John Quinn's pair of Chieftain's Choice and Forced Family Fun and Balgarry and Swing Bowler from David Pipe's stable.

Willie Mullins is keeping his options open with three entries - Lucky Bridle, Wicklow Brave and Daneking - but County Meath handler Tony Martin has taken out Blair Perrone who was prominent in the betting at around 14-1.