Three-Figure Entries For All Four Novice Hurdles

The Festival's four championship novice hurdles have attracted their usual huge entries with the best young talent from Britain, Ireland, France and Germany contributing to 113 entries in the ANGLO IRISH BANK SUPREME NOVICES' HURDLE (Tuesday, March 14), 138 in the ROYAL & SUNALLIANCE NOVICES' HURDLE (Wednesday, March 15), 116 in the JCB TRIUMPH HURDLE and 114 in the BRIT INSURANCE NOVICES' HURDLE (both on Friday, March 17).

Ireland's champion trainer Noel Meade has only had one previous Festival victory but German Group 2 winner Sweet Wake, a 150,000 guineas purchase at Tattersalls in October, is likely to be warm favourite to improve that record in the Anglo Irish Bank Supreme Novices' Hurdle. The winner of both his hurdling starts is one of 45 Irish-trained entries as are stablemate Iktitaf and the Edward O'Grady-trained O'Muirchearteigh. The home team includes Straw Bear, trained by Nick Gifford for J P McManus, and the Paul Nicholls-trained Noland, who was bought by owner John Hales for 70,000 guineas at a National Hunt Breeze-Up sale at Cheltenham Racecourse in December, 2004.

Denman, who was due to have run at Cheltenham on Saturday, represents Nicholls in the Royal & SunAlliance Novices' Hurdle, in which Black Jack Ketchum - who scored at Prestbury Park in November and December - is likely to be saddled by Jonjo O'Neill. The 44 Irish-trained entries include Nicanor and Mr Nosie from Noel Meade's stable and the Tom Taaffe-trained Finger Onthe Pulse while the French challenge includes Arnaud Chaille-Chaille's Zaiyad, another due to have been in action on Saturday.

The JCB Triumph Hurdle's entries include the Nicky Henderson-trained Afsoun, who was bidding for another success at Cheltenham on Saturday, the Paul Nicholls-trained Turko, Mister Hight, one of 34 Irish-trained entries, while the record eight possible contenders from France include the Francois Cottin-trained Overlut, who was another scheduled to appear at Prestbury Park on Saturday.

The Brit Insurance Novices' Hurdle, a successful addition to the Festival line-up last year, has attracted another huge entry. Black Jack Ketchum is also entered in this three-mile event while the 38 Irish-trained entries include Mags Mullins' stable star Travino. There are also four entries from France.

Edward Gillespie, Cheltenham Racecourse's Managing Director, said: 'We were thrilled a week ago to announce such strong entries for The Festival's novice chases, and it is further good news for jump racing's long-term future that the four novice hurdles have been so solidly supported. It is great to see that the Brit Insurance Novices' Hurdle, a new addition to the Festival in 2005, has been so well received with 114 entries.'