Brave sole Irish runner in Betfair

Wicklow Brave is the only Irish runner in Saturday's Betfair Hurdle at Newbury.

Of Willie Mullins' three possibles at the five-day stage, just the six-year-old, who has struggled in his two outings this campaign, will make the journey.

Sign Of A Victory has been given the go-ahead to carry top weight in the Betfair.

The Nicky Henderson-trained six-year-old won a Listed race on good ground at Ascot earlier in the season but has been seen just once since, when he could only finish fourth behind Mullins' Champion Hurdle favourite Faugheen in Kempton's Christmas Hurdle.

While connections are adamant he will be seen at his best on good ground, they are happy to let him take his chance this weekend due to a lack of other suitable opportunities.

Henderson visited Newbury on Wednesday to assess the condition of the ground under the frost-protection covers and while he found it soft, it was not soft enough to persuade him not to run.

Sign Of A Victory's owner Matt Morgan confirmed: "He's been declared and Barry (Geraghty) will ride. We decided we may as well find out once and for all about the ground in a race such as this."

Henderson has also declared Vasco Du Ronceray but his Snake Eyes missed the cut for the final field of 24.

Paul Nicholls' five-year-old Calipto, the long-term ante-post favourite, and Harry Fry's pair of Activial and Jolly's Cracked It are also declared, as are the Venetia Williams-trained Aso, John Ferguson's Pine Creek and Bordoni, and Jonjo O'Neill's Goodwood Mirage.

The David Pipe duo of Balgarry and Swing Bowler, third and fifth in the last two renewals, the John Quinn pair of Chieftain's Choice and Forced Family Fun and Jennie Candlish's in-form Sleepy Haven are also declared.

Fascino Rustico, Arzal, On Tour and Ballyboley will take their chance too