Black Hercules© Photo Healy Racing
A record 89-strong entry has been received for the National Hunt Chase on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival on March 15.
The four-mile contest for amateur riders is the longest race of the week and ante-posts lists are currently headed by Black Hercules who is trained by Willie Mullins and looks the potential mount of his son, Patrick.
Mullins senior won this race twice as a jockey aboard Hazy Dawn (1982) and Macks Friendly (1984) and was moved to tears when Patrick booted Back In Focus home in front three years ago. Roi Des Francs and Pont Alexandre also feature in a potentially strong team for Mullins, while the Mouse Morris-trained Rule The World is among 35 Irish-trained contenders.
Neil Mulholland's Southfield Royale Colin Tizzard's Native River and Vicente from Paul Nicholls' yard are all prominent in the betting for Britain.
