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Closing date for entries to the Grade I hurdles was 19 January Noon.
Anyone know when these get published? RP still shows possible entries.
Particularly interested in stayers hurdle and Mares hurdle. Thanks.
Anyone know when these get published? RP still shows possible entries.
Particularly interested in stayers hurdle and Mares hurdle. Thanks.
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Walford has sights on The Festival as entries are revealed for the World Hurdle & OLBG Mares' Hurdle
Thursday, January 21, 2016 - Entries are unveiled today for a further two Grade One hurdle contests at The Festival - the £300,000 World Hurdle (St Patrick's Thursday, March 17) and the £100,000 OLBG Mares' Hurdle (Champion Day, Tuesday, March 15).
The World Hurdle, the championship race staged over three miles for hurdlers, has attracted 48 hopefuls including five of the first six horses home in the 2015 running - winner Cole Harden (Warren Greatrex), runner-up Saphir Du Rheu (Paul Nicholls), fourth At Fishers Cross (Rebecca Curtis), fifth Whisper (Nicky Henderson) and sixth Un Temps Pour Tout (David Pipe).
The 2014 hero More Of That (Jonjo O'Neill) has also been given an entry, although both of his starts this season have come in novices' chases.
Heading the ante-post betting market for the World Hurdle is Thistlecrack (Colin Tizzard), who has been registered two impressive victories on his most recent starts. He got the better of Deputy Dan (Oliver Sherwood) and Cole Harden in the Grade Two Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury on November 28 before moving on to Ascot on December 19, when he was the eight-length winner of the Grade One Long Walk Hurdle.
Another horse to have made an impact in Graded company this season is Camping Ground (Robert Walford), who was the impressive 11-length winner of the Grade Two Dornan Engineering Relkeel Hurdle over an extended two and a half miles at Cheltenham on New Year's Day, with Lil Rockerfeller (Neil King) second and Cole Harden third.
The ex-French six-year-old won five times in his native country; a chase, three hurdles and a Flat race. His only previous British victory from three starts came under top-weight in a Warwick handicap chase over an extended two and a half miles.
Dorset-based trainer Robert Walford, who has yet to saddle a winner at The Festival but partnered the 2000 Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Chase victor Honey Mount, said: "Camping Ground has been very good since his win on New Year's Day and is in great form.
"All being well, he will now go for galliardhomes.com Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham at the end of the month (January 30) and then head on to The Festival.
"Leighton Aspell rang me after he won the Relkeel and said we should also enter him in the Champion Hurdle - he knows pretty well what he is on about so we did. If it came up heavy, he could maybe go for the Champion Hurdle but in my mind he is really a stayer.
"Camping Ground hasn't actually won over three miles yet but was going away on heavy ground when he won the Relkeel, so I don't see the step up in trip being a problem. I would be surprised if he didn't stay three miles. Better ground should not be a problem as he has won on good ground on the Flat."
A record Irish-trained entry of 18 includes Annie Power (Willie Mullins), runner-up to More Of That in 2014 and a faller at the final flight when looking assured of victory in the 2015 OLBG Mares' Hurdle (for which she is also entered in this year). Willie Mullins, Ireland's champion Jump trainer who has yet to win the World Hurdle, is also responsible for five more entries. They include another mare, Vroum Vroum Mag, a multiple graded winner over fences who was successful on her return to hurdles at Clonmel last month, plus Briar Hill, Stan James Champion Hurdle hope Nichols Canyon, Renneti and Simenon.
Also among the Irish-trained entries are Prince Of Scars (Gordon Elliott) and Alpha Des Obeaux (Mouse Morris), first and second respectively in the Grade One Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown on December 28, plus Martello Tower (Mags Mullins), third in the same race and winner of the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle at The Festival in 2015.
Other eye-catching entries include the 2013 Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Bobs Worth (Nicky Henderson) and dual King George VI Chase hero Silviniaco Conti (Paul Nicholls).
Power heads OLBG Mares' Hurdle entries
There are 45 entries for the Grade One OLBG Mares' Hurdle, run over two and a half miles, headed by Annie Power. The Willie Mullins-trained eight-year-old has been successful on 12 of her 14 starts. Her only reversals have come at The Festival - she was second in the 2014 World Hurdle and fell at the last in the 2015 OLBG Mares' Hurdle with the race at her mercy.
Her trainer Willie Mullins has six entries in total, including Morning Run, successful on six of her seven starts, Grade One scorer Petite Parisienne and Vroum Vroum Mag who is better known as a chaser. There are 16 Irish-trained entries in total and other leading hopes include Ballychorus (Mags Mullins), who could revert to hurdles following two falls when bang in contention in competitive handicap chases.
Northern Ireland handler Ben Arthey has yet to saddle a runner at Cheltenham but is looking forward to getting Jennys Melody back to the track. The seven-year-old mare looked a progressive performer last season, scoring impressively in novice company at Sedgefield and Newcastle before rounding off her campaign by defeating seasoned opposition in a mares' handicap hurdle at Ayr's Scottish Grand National meeting in April.
Arthey, who is based in Co Antrim, commented: "Jennys Melody had a bit of a setback after she won at Ayr so that is why she has not run yet this season. It wasn't career-threatening but it kept reoccurring and held us up. We are getting her going again now.
"She improved with every run last year, both physically and mentally. She has to improve a hell of lot again to take on the likes of Annie Power but if you are not in, you can't win and we thought she was worth an entry. She is physically much stronger than she was at this time last year.
"I think she probably is better on good ground, but has won on heavy ground too. We could look at taking her over for a Listed race at Warwick for her comeback run and see where we go from there (the olbg.com Mares' Hurdle over two miles and five furlongs on February 13).
"She won a bumper at Sedgefield on the Tuesday of Cheltenham two years ago and a novices' hurdle on the same Tuesday last year - it would be great if she won on the same Tuesday again this year!"
Other leading hopes include Aurore D'Estruval (Rebecca Curtis), who shaped with promise on her return to action when fourth to Camping Ground in the Grade Two Dornan Engineering Cleeve Hurdle and last year's runner-up, Polly Peachum (Nicky Henderson), who led home The Govaness (Dr Richard Newland), Fairytale Theatre (Dan Skelton) and Gitane Du Berlais (Willie Mullins) when winning a Listed contest at Sandown on January 2. Bitofapuzzle (Harry Fry) was third last year before going on to score in Grade One company at Fairyhouse.
OLBG sponsor a series of six races on the Road to Cheltenham and the winners of the first three have all been entered - Blue Buttons (Harry Fry), Morello Royale (Colin Tizzard) and Lily Waugh (Anthony Honeyball).
The OLBG Mares' Road To Cheltenham 2015/16 series:
Wetherby - Saturday, October 31, 2015 - 2m 110y Listed Hurdle - won by Blue Buttons
Kempton - Monday, November 23, 2015 - 3m 110y Listed Hurdle - won by Morello Royale
Cheltenham - Saturday, December 12, 2015 - 2m 4f 56y Handicap Hurdle - won by Lily Waugh
Ascot - Saturday, January 23, 2016 - 2m 7f 118y Grade Two Hurdle
Doncaster - Saturday, January 30, 2016 - 2m 140y Grade Two Hurdle
Warwick - Saturday, February 13, 2016 - 2m 5f Listed Hurdle
Cheltenham - Tuesday, March 15, 2016 - 2m 3f 200y Grade One Hurdle
About Cheltenham Racecourse
Cheltenham Racecourse is situated in Prestbury on the outskirts of the historic spa town of Cheltenham. The Home of Jump Racing, Cheltenham Racecourse is the venue for the world's pre-eminent Jump meeting, The Festival, which takes place in March over four days every year. Set against the beautiful backdrop of the Cotswolds, Cheltenham Racecourse is a stunning natural arena and offers the highest-quality action throughout the Jump season.
More information is available at www.cheltenham.co.uk and through Twitter (@CheltenhamRaces), Facebook www.facebook.com/thehomeofjumpracing and Instagram (@CheltenhamRaces).
About The Jockey Club
Cheltenham is part of The Jockey Club which has been at the heart of British racing for more than 260 years. Today the largest commercial group in the sport, The Jockey Club runs the largest racecourse group in the UK by turnover (2014: £162.9m), courses (15) including those at Aintree, Cheltenham, Epsom Downs and Newmarket, attendances (2015: 1.95m), total prize money (2015: £43.9m), contribution to prize money (2015: £19.9m) and quality racing (Group and Graded races); more than 3,000 acres of world-class training grounds in Newmarket, Lambourn and Epsom Downs; the National Stud breeding enterprise and education provider; and the charity for racing's people in need, Racing Welfare. Governed by Royal Charter, every penny The Jockey Club makes it puts back into British racing. More information is available at www.thejockeyclub.co.uk
If you need any information about racing at Cheltenham, please contact Sophia Dale, Communications Manager - Jockey Club Racecourses South West, on 01242 537 683/07557 054 577 or sophia.dale@thejockeyclub.co.uk
World Hurdle
Grade 1, £300,000 Total Prize Fund. 3.30pm, Thursday, March 17, 2016 three miles (2m 7f 213yds). For four-year-olds and upwards who are allotted a rating of 130 or more by the BHA Head of Handicapping following a review of the horses entered and after taking account of races run up to and including March 10 - horses who are not qualified for a rating in GB, IRE or FR may also be entered (such horses may be eligible providing the Handicapper is satisfied that the horse's racecourse performances up to and including March 10 would merit a minimum rating of 130 - the decision of the BHA Head of Handicapping shall be final). Weights: 4yo: 11st 1lb; 5yo+: 11st 10lb; fillies & mares allowed 7lb. Entries closed January 19, entries revealed January 21 (48 entries). Scratchings deadline February 16, £15,000 supplementary entry stage & six-day confirmation stage March 11, final declarations 10am, March 15.
Horse Age Owner Trainer
ACTIVIAL (FR) 6 Potensis Bloodstock Limited Harry Fry
ALPHA DES OBEAUX (FR) 6 Gigginstown House Stud Mouse Morris IRE
ANNIE POWER (IRE) 8 Susannah Ricci Willie Mullins IRE
AQALIM 6 Bloomfields John Ferguson
AT FISHERS CROSS (IRE) 9 J P McManus Rebecca Curtis
AUX PTITS SOINS (FR) 6 John Hales Paul Nicholls
BITOFAPUZZLE 8 Potensis Bloodstock Ltd & Chris Giles Harry Fry
BOBS WORTH (IRE) 11 The Not Afraid Partnership Nicky Henderson
BRIAR HILL (IRE) 8 Andrea & Graham Wylie Willie Mullins IRE
CAMPING GROUND (FR) 6 G L Porter Robert Walford
COLE HARDEN (IRE) 7 Jill Eynon & Robin Eynon Warren Greatrex
COMMISSIONED (IRE) 6 Bloomfields John Ferguson
DEDIGOUT (IRE) 10 Gigginstown House Stud Tony Martin IRE
DEPUTY DAN (IRE) 8 Tim Syder Oliver Sherwood
DIAMOND KING (IRE) 8 Diana Whateley Gordon Elliott IRE
KAREZAK (IRE) 5 McNeill Family Alan King
KILCOOLEY (IRE) 7 J H & S M Wall Charlie Longsdon
KINGS PALACE (IRE) 8 Drew, George & Johnson Family David Pipe
KNOCKARA BEAU (IRE) 13 Alistair Charlton George Charlton
LIEUTENANT COLONEL 7 Gigginstown House Stud Sandra Hughes IRE
LIL ROCKERFELLER (USA) 5 Davies Smith Govier & Brown Neil King
MARTELLO TOWER (IRE) 8 Barry Connell Mags Mullins IRE
MAXIMISER (IRE) 8 J D Gordon Simon West
MEDINAS (FR) 9 Mr & Mrs F D Bell Alan King
MONKSLAND (IRE) 9 Patricia Hunt Noel Meade IRE
MORE OF THAT (IRE) 8 J P McManus Jonjo O'Neill
NICHOLS CANYON 6 Andrea & Graham Wylie Willie Mullins IRE
NOBLE EMPEROR (IRE) 8 J P McManus Tony Martin IRE
PARLOUR GAMES 8 Bloomfields John Ferguson
PRINCE OF SCARS (IRE) 6 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott IRE
PTIT ZIG (FR) 7 Barry Fulton, Chris Giles & Richard Webb Paul Nicholls
PURPLE BAY (IRE) 7 Bloomfields John Ferguson
RED SHERLOCK 7 The Johnson Family David Pipe
RENNETI (FR) 7 Susannah Ricci Willie Mullins IRE
SAPHIR DU RHEU (FR) 7 The Stewart Family Paul Nicholls
SILVINIACO CONTI (FR) 10 Potensis Bloodstock Ltd & Chris Giles Paul Nicholls
SIMENON (IRE) 9 Wicklow Bloodstock (Ireland) Ltd Willie Mullins IRE
SNOW FALCON (IRE) 6 Patricia Hunt Noel Meade IRE
TAGLIETELLE 7 Olduvai Syndicate Gordon Elliott IRE
THE GOVANESS 7 C B Brookes Dr Richard Newland
THIRD INTENTION (IRE) 9 Robert and Sarah Tizzard Colin Tizzard
THISTLECRACK 8 John and Heather Snook Colin Tizzard
TIGER ROLL (IRE) 6 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott IRE
UN TEMPS POUR TOUT (IRE) 7 Professor Caroline Tisdall & Bryan Drew David Pipe
VALUE AT RISK 7 D M Huglin Dan Skelton
VROUM VROUM MAG (FR) 7 Susannah Ricci Willie Mullins IRE
WHISPER (FR) 8 Walters Plant Hire Ltd Nicky Henderson
ZABANA (IRE) 7 Chris Jones Andrew Lynch IRE
48 entries
18 Irish-trained
Breakdown of Entries by Trainer
6 entries
Willie Mullins IRE - Annie Power, Briar Hill, Nichols Canyon, Renneti, Simenon, Vroum Vroum Mag
4 entries
Gordon Elliott IRE - Diamond King, Prince Of Scars, Taglietelle, Tiger Roll
John Ferguson - Aqalim, Commissioned, Parlour Games, Purple Bay
Paul Nicholls - Aux Ptits Soins, Ptit Zig, Saphir Du Rheu, Silviniaco Conti
3 entries
David Pipe - Kings Palace, Red Sherlock, Un Temps Pour Tout
2 entries
Harry Fry - Activial, Bitofapuzzle
Nicky Henderson - Bobs Worth, Whisper
Alan King - Karezak, Medinas
Tony Martin IRE - Dedigout, Noble Emperor
Noel Meade IRE - Monksland, Snow Falcon
Colin Tizzard - Third Intention, Thistlecrack
1 entry
George Charlton - Knockara Beau
Rebecca Curtis - At Fishers Cross
Warren Greatrex - Cole Harden
Sandra Hughes IRE - Lieutenant Colonel
Neil King - Lil Rockerfeller
Charlie Longsdon - Kilcooley
Andrew Lynch IRE - Zabana
Mouse Morris IRE - Alpha Des Obeaux
Mags Mullins IRE - Martello Tower
Dr Richard Newland - The Govaness
Jonjo O'Neill - More Of That
Oliver Sherwood - Deputy Dan
Dan Skelton - Value At Risk
Robert Walford - Camping Ground
Simon West - Maximiser
Horses entered in both the Stan James Champion Hurdleand the World Hurdle
Camping Ground (Robert Walford)
Nichols Canyon (Willie Mullins IRE)
Parlour Games (John Ferguson)
Purple Bay (John Ferguson)
OLBG Mares' Hurdle
Grade 1, £100,000 Total Prize Fund. 4.10pm, Tuesday, March 15, two and a half miles (2m 3f 200y). For four-year-olds and upwards, fillies and mares. Weights: 4yo: 10st 10lb; 5yo+: 11st 5lb. Entries closed January 19, entries revealed January 21 (45 entries). Scratchings deadline February 16, £5,000 supplementary entry stage & six-day confirmation stage March 9, final declarations 10am, March 13.
Horse Age Owner Trainer
ANNIE POWER (IRE) 8 Susannah Ricci Willie Mullins IRE
AURORE D'ESTRUVAL (FR) 6 Carl Hinchy Rebecca Curtis
BALLYCHORUS (IRE) 7 Barry Connell Mags Mullins IRE
BITOFAPUZZLE 8 Potensis Bloodstock Ltd & Chris Giles Harry Fry
BLUE BUTTONS (IRE) 8 Harry Fry Racing Club Harry Fry
BUCHE DE NOEL (FR) 5 David Brownlow Jamie Snowden
BUTTERCUP (FR) 5 Boultbee Brooks Ltd Venetia Williams
DANCING MEADOWS (IRE) 6 D Charlesworth Gordon Elliott IRE
DESERT QUEEN 8 The Jago Family Partnership Harry Fry
DUBH EILE (IRE) 8 Paul Bowtell & Jonathan Shinton Tim Vaughan
DUSKY LEGEND 6 Richard & Lizzie Kelvin-Hughes Alan King
FAIRYTALE THEATRE (IRE) 9 Michael Fennessy Dan Skelton
FLEMENTIME (IRE) 8 Figjam II Martin Keighley
GITANE DU BERLAIS (FR) 6 Simon Munir/Isaac Souede Willie Mullins IRE
GROOVEJET 5 Phil Cunningham Dave Morris
INTENSE TANGO 5 Cosy Seal Racing Limited Karl Burke
JENNYS MELODY (IRE) 7 Richard Gilchrist Benjamin Arthey IRE
JESSBER'S DREAM (IRE) 6 Chris Giles & Potensis Bloodstock Ltd Harry Fry
KALANE (IRE) 7 Paul Murphy Charlie Longsdon
KATIE TOO (IRE) 5 Mr & Mrs Christopher Harris Alan King
KEPPOLS QUEEN (IRE) 8 Ms C O'Loughlin Jessica Harrington IRE
LEGACY GOLD (IRE) 8 Roger Brookhouse Stuart Crawford IRE
LILY WAUGH (IRE) 9 Go To War Anthony Honeyball
MELBOURNE LADY 8 J Robb Paddy Fegan IRE
MIA'S STORM (IRE) 6 The Maple Street Partnership Alan King
MIDNIGHT JAZZ 6 Exors of the Late D Allen Ben Case
MORELLO ROYALE (IRE) 6 Ann & Tony Gale Colin Tizzard
MORNING RUN (IRE) 7 Henry Murphy Willie Mullins IRE
MOZO 5 Robin Geffen David Pipe
MYZTIQUE (IRE) 6 Ms M Mckenna Gordon Elliott IRE
PASS THE TIME 7 Dajam Ltd Neil Mulholland
PETITE PARISIENNE (FR) 5 Gigginstown House Stud Willie Mullins IRE
POLLY PEACHUM (IRE) 8 Lady Tennant & Robert Waley-Cohen Nicky Henderson
ROCK ON THE MOOR (IRE) 8 Exors of the Late Steve Hemstock Jessica Harrington IRE
RONS DREAM 6 Tania Stepney Peter Bowen
SMART TALK (IRE) 6 Mrs J A Martin Brian Ellison
STEPHANIE FRANCES (IRE) 8 Mandy Hall Dan Skelton
TARA FLOW 6 Kate & Andrew Brooks Venetia Williams
TARA POINT 7 Robin Geffen Paul Nicholls
THE GOVANESS 7 C B Brookes Dr Richard Newland
TOCORORO (IRE) 4 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott IRE
TWENTYTWO'S TAKEN (IRE) 8 K Alexander David Pipe
VROUM VROUM MAG (FR) 7 Susannah Ricci Willie Mullins IRE
WHISTLE DIXIE (IRE) 6 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott IRE
WHITEOUT (GER) 5 David Lawlor Willie Mullins IRE
45 entries
16 Irish-trained
Breakdown of Entries by Trainer
6 entries
Willie Mullins IRE - Annie Power, Gitane Du Berlais, Morning Run, Petite Parisienne, Vroum Vroum Mag, Whiteout
4 entries
Gordon Elliott IRE - Dancing Meadows, Myztique, Tocororo, Whistle Dixie
Harry Fry - Bitofapuzzle, Blue Buttons, Desert Queen, Jessber's Dream
3 entries
Alan King - Dusky Legend, Katie Too, Mia's Storm
2 entries
Jessica Harrington IRE - Keppols Queen, Rock On The Moor
David Pipe - Mozo, Twentytwo's Taken
Dan Skelton - Fairytale Theatre, Stephanie Frances
Venetia Williams - Buttercup, Tara Flow
1 entry
Benjamin Arthey IRE - Jennys Melody
Peter Bowen - Rons Dream
Karl Burke - Intense Tango
Ben Case - Midnight Jazz
Stuart Crawford IRE - Legacy Gold
Rebecca Curtis - Aurore D'Estruval
Brian Ellison - Smart Talk
Paddy Fegan IRE - Melbourne Lady
Nicky Henderson - Polly Peachum
Anthony Honeyball - Lily Waugh
Charlie Longsdon - Kalane
Martin Keighley - Flementime
Dave Morris - Groovejet
Neil Mulholland - Pass The Time
Mags Mullins IRE - Ballychorus
Dr Richard Newland - The Govaness
Paul Nicholls - Tara Point
Jamie Snowden - Buche De Noel
Colin Tizzard - Morello Royale
Tim Vaughan - Dubh Eile
Thursday, January 21, 2016 - Entries are unveiled today for a further two Grade One hurdle contests at The Festival - the £300,000 World Hurdle (St Patrick's Thursday, March 17) and the £100,000 OLBG Mares' Hurdle (Champion Day, Tuesday, March 15).
The World Hurdle, the championship race staged over three miles for hurdlers, has attracted 48 hopefuls including five of the first six horses home in the 2015 running - winner Cole Harden (Warren Greatrex), runner-up Saphir Du Rheu (Paul Nicholls), fourth At Fishers Cross (Rebecca Curtis), fifth Whisper (Nicky Henderson) and sixth Un Temps Pour Tout (David Pipe).
The 2014 hero More Of That (Jonjo O'Neill) has also been given an entry, although both of his starts this season have come in novices' chases.
Heading the ante-post betting market for the World Hurdle is Thistlecrack (Colin Tizzard), who has been registered two impressive victories on his most recent starts. He got the better of Deputy Dan (Oliver Sherwood) and Cole Harden in the Grade Two Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury on November 28 before moving on to Ascot on December 19, when he was the eight-length winner of the Grade One Long Walk Hurdle.
Another horse to have made an impact in Graded company this season is Camping Ground (Robert Walford), who was the impressive 11-length winner of the Grade Two Dornan Engineering Relkeel Hurdle over an extended two and a half miles at Cheltenham on New Year's Day, with Lil Rockerfeller (Neil King) second and Cole Harden third.
The ex-French six-year-old won five times in his native country; a chase, three hurdles and a Flat race. His only previous British victory from three starts came under top-weight in a Warwick handicap chase over an extended two and a half miles.
Dorset-based trainer Robert Walford, who has yet to saddle a winner at The Festival but partnered the 2000 Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Chase victor Honey Mount, said: "Camping Ground has been very good since his win on New Year's Day and is in great form.
"All being well, he will now go for galliardhomes.com Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham at the end of the month (January 30) and then head on to The Festival.
"Leighton Aspell rang me after he won the Relkeel and said we should also enter him in the Champion Hurdle - he knows pretty well what he is on about so we did. If it came up heavy, he could maybe go for the Champion Hurdle but in my mind he is really a stayer.
"Camping Ground hasn't actually won over three miles yet but was going away on heavy ground when he won the Relkeel, so I don't see the step up in trip being a problem. I would be surprised if he didn't stay three miles. Better ground should not be a problem as he has won on good ground on the Flat."
A record Irish-trained entry of 18 includes Annie Power (Willie Mullins), runner-up to More Of That in 2014 and a faller at the final flight when looking assured of victory in the 2015 OLBG Mares' Hurdle (for which she is also entered in this year). Willie Mullins, Ireland's champion Jump trainer who has yet to win the World Hurdle, is also responsible for five more entries. They include another mare, Vroum Vroum Mag, a multiple graded winner over fences who was successful on her return to hurdles at Clonmel last month, plus Briar Hill, Stan James Champion Hurdle hope Nichols Canyon, Renneti and Simenon.
Also among the Irish-trained entries are Prince Of Scars (Gordon Elliott) and Alpha Des Obeaux (Mouse Morris), first and second respectively in the Grade One Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown on December 28, plus Martello Tower (Mags Mullins), third in the same race and winner of the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle at The Festival in 2015.
Other eye-catching entries include the 2013 Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Bobs Worth (Nicky Henderson) and dual King George VI Chase hero Silviniaco Conti (Paul Nicholls).
Power heads OLBG Mares' Hurdle entries
There are 45 entries for the Grade One OLBG Mares' Hurdle, run over two and a half miles, headed by Annie Power. The Willie Mullins-trained eight-year-old has been successful on 12 of her 14 starts. Her only reversals have come at The Festival - she was second in the 2014 World Hurdle and fell at the last in the 2015 OLBG Mares' Hurdle with the race at her mercy.
Her trainer Willie Mullins has six entries in total, including Morning Run, successful on six of her seven starts, Grade One scorer Petite Parisienne and Vroum Vroum Mag who is better known as a chaser. There are 16 Irish-trained entries in total and other leading hopes include Ballychorus (Mags Mullins), who could revert to hurdles following two falls when bang in contention in competitive handicap chases.
Northern Ireland handler Ben Arthey has yet to saddle a runner at Cheltenham but is looking forward to getting Jennys Melody back to the track. The seven-year-old mare looked a progressive performer last season, scoring impressively in novice company at Sedgefield and Newcastle before rounding off her campaign by defeating seasoned opposition in a mares' handicap hurdle at Ayr's Scottish Grand National meeting in April.
Arthey, who is based in Co Antrim, commented: "Jennys Melody had a bit of a setback after she won at Ayr so that is why she has not run yet this season. It wasn't career-threatening but it kept reoccurring and held us up. We are getting her going again now.
"She improved with every run last year, both physically and mentally. She has to improve a hell of lot again to take on the likes of Annie Power but if you are not in, you can't win and we thought she was worth an entry. She is physically much stronger than she was at this time last year.
"I think she probably is better on good ground, but has won on heavy ground too. We could look at taking her over for a Listed race at Warwick for her comeback run and see where we go from there (the olbg.com Mares' Hurdle over two miles and five furlongs on February 13).
"She won a bumper at Sedgefield on the Tuesday of Cheltenham two years ago and a novices' hurdle on the same Tuesday last year - it would be great if she won on the same Tuesday again this year!"
Other leading hopes include Aurore D'Estruval (Rebecca Curtis), who shaped with promise on her return to action when fourth to Camping Ground in the Grade Two Dornan Engineering Cleeve Hurdle and last year's runner-up, Polly Peachum (Nicky Henderson), who led home The Govaness (Dr Richard Newland), Fairytale Theatre (Dan Skelton) and Gitane Du Berlais (Willie Mullins) when winning a Listed contest at Sandown on January 2. Bitofapuzzle (Harry Fry) was third last year before going on to score in Grade One company at Fairyhouse.
OLBG sponsor a series of six races on the Road to Cheltenham and the winners of the first three have all been entered - Blue Buttons (Harry Fry), Morello Royale (Colin Tizzard) and Lily Waugh (Anthony Honeyball).
The OLBG Mares' Road To Cheltenham 2015/16 series:
Wetherby - Saturday, October 31, 2015 - 2m 110y Listed Hurdle - won by Blue Buttons
Kempton - Monday, November 23, 2015 - 3m 110y Listed Hurdle - won by Morello Royale
Cheltenham - Saturday, December 12, 2015 - 2m 4f 56y Handicap Hurdle - won by Lily Waugh
Ascot - Saturday, January 23, 2016 - 2m 7f 118y Grade Two Hurdle
Doncaster - Saturday, January 30, 2016 - 2m 140y Grade Two Hurdle
Warwick - Saturday, February 13, 2016 - 2m 5f Listed Hurdle
Cheltenham - Tuesday, March 15, 2016 - 2m 3f 200y Grade One Hurdle
About Cheltenham Racecourse
Cheltenham Racecourse is situated in Prestbury on the outskirts of the historic spa town of Cheltenham. The Home of Jump Racing, Cheltenham Racecourse is the venue for the world's pre-eminent Jump meeting, The Festival, which takes place in March over four days every year. Set against the beautiful backdrop of the Cotswolds, Cheltenham Racecourse is a stunning natural arena and offers the highest-quality action throughout the Jump season.
More information is available at www.cheltenham.co.uk and through Twitter (@CheltenhamRaces), Facebook www.facebook.com/thehomeofjumpracing and Instagram (@CheltenhamRaces).
About The Jockey Club
Cheltenham is part of The Jockey Club which has been at the heart of British racing for more than 260 years. Today the largest commercial group in the sport, The Jockey Club runs the largest racecourse group in the UK by turnover (2014: £162.9m), courses (15) including those at Aintree, Cheltenham, Epsom Downs and Newmarket, attendances (2015: 1.95m), total prize money (2015: £43.9m), contribution to prize money (2015: £19.9m) and quality racing (Group and Graded races); more than 3,000 acres of world-class training grounds in Newmarket, Lambourn and Epsom Downs; the National Stud breeding enterprise and education provider; and the charity for racing's people in need, Racing Welfare. Governed by Royal Charter, every penny The Jockey Club makes it puts back into British racing. More information is available at www.thejockeyclub.co.uk
If you need any information about racing at Cheltenham, please contact Sophia Dale, Communications Manager - Jockey Club Racecourses South West, on 01242 537 683/07557 054 577 or sophia.dale@thejockeyclub.co.uk
World Hurdle
Grade 1, £300,000 Total Prize Fund. 3.30pm, Thursday, March 17, 2016 three miles (2m 7f 213yds). For four-year-olds and upwards who are allotted a rating of 130 or more by the BHA Head of Handicapping following a review of the horses entered and after taking account of races run up to and including March 10 - horses who are not qualified for a rating in GB, IRE or FR may also be entered (such horses may be eligible providing the Handicapper is satisfied that the horse's racecourse performances up to and including March 10 would merit a minimum rating of 130 - the decision of the BHA Head of Handicapping shall be final). Weights: 4yo: 11st 1lb; 5yo+: 11st 10lb; fillies & mares allowed 7lb. Entries closed January 19, entries revealed January 21 (48 entries). Scratchings deadline February 16, £15,000 supplementary entry stage & six-day confirmation stage March 11, final declarations 10am, March 15.
Horse Age Owner Trainer
ACTIVIAL (FR) 6 Potensis Bloodstock Limited Harry Fry
ALPHA DES OBEAUX (FR) 6 Gigginstown House Stud Mouse Morris IRE
ANNIE POWER (IRE) 8 Susannah Ricci Willie Mullins IRE
AQALIM 6 Bloomfields John Ferguson
AT FISHERS CROSS (IRE) 9 J P McManus Rebecca Curtis
AUX PTITS SOINS (FR) 6 John Hales Paul Nicholls
BITOFAPUZZLE 8 Potensis Bloodstock Ltd & Chris Giles Harry Fry
BOBS WORTH (IRE) 11 The Not Afraid Partnership Nicky Henderson
BRIAR HILL (IRE) 8 Andrea & Graham Wylie Willie Mullins IRE
CAMPING GROUND (FR) 6 G L Porter Robert Walford
COLE HARDEN (IRE) 7 Jill Eynon & Robin Eynon Warren Greatrex
COMMISSIONED (IRE) 6 Bloomfields John Ferguson
DEDIGOUT (IRE) 10 Gigginstown House Stud Tony Martin IRE
DEPUTY DAN (IRE) 8 Tim Syder Oliver Sherwood
DIAMOND KING (IRE) 8 Diana Whateley Gordon Elliott IRE
KAREZAK (IRE) 5 McNeill Family Alan King
KILCOOLEY (IRE) 7 J H & S M Wall Charlie Longsdon
KINGS PALACE (IRE) 8 Drew, George & Johnson Family David Pipe
KNOCKARA BEAU (IRE) 13 Alistair Charlton George Charlton
LIEUTENANT COLONEL 7 Gigginstown House Stud Sandra Hughes IRE
LIL ROCKERFELLER (USA) 5 Davies Smith Govier & Brown Neil King
MARTELLO TOWER (IRE) 8 Barry Connell Mags Mullins IRE
MAXIMISER (IRE) 8 J D Gordon Simon West
MEDINAS (FR) 9 Mr & Mrs F D Bell Alan King
MONKSLAND (IRE) 9 Patricia Hunt Noel Meade IRE
MORE OF THAT (IRE) 8 J P McManus Jonjo O'Neill
NICHOLS CANYON 6 Andrea & Graham Wylie Willie Mullins IRE
NOBLE EMPEROR (IRE) 8 J P McManus Tony Martin IRE
PARLOUR GAMES 8 Bloomfields John Ferguson
PRINCE OF SCARS (IRE) 6 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott IRE
PTIT ZIG (FR) 7 Barry Fulton, Chris Giles & Richard Webb Paul Nicholls
PURPLE BAY (IRE) 7 Bloomfields John Ferguson
RED SHERLOCK 7 The Johnson Family David Pipe
RENNETI (FR) 7 Susannah Ricci Willie Mullins IRE
SAPHIR DU RHEU (FR) 7 The Stewart Family Paul Nicholls
SILVINIACO CONTI (FR) 10 Potensis Bloodstock Ltd & Chris Giles Paul Nicholls
SIMENON (IRE) 9 Wicklow Bloodstock (Ireland) Ltd Willie Mullins IRE
SNOW FALCON (IRE) 6 Patricia Hunt Noel Meade IRE
TAGLIETELLE 7 Olduvai Syndicate Gordon Elliott IRE
THE GOVANESS 7 C B Brookes Dr Richard Newland
THIRD INTENTION (IRE) 9 Robert and Sarah Tizzard Colin Tizzard
THISTLECRACK 8 John and Heather Snook Colin Tizzard
TIGER ROLL (IRE) 6 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott IRE
UN TEMPS POUR TOUT (IRE) 7 Professor Caroline Tisdall & Bryan Drew David Pipe
VALUE AT RISK 7 D M Huglin Dan Skelton
VROUM VROUM MAG (FR) 7 Susannah Ricci Willie Mullins IRE
WHISPER (FR) 8 Walters Plant Hire Ltd Nicky Henderson
ZABANA (IRE) 7 Chris Jones Andrew Lynch IRE
48 entries
18 Irish-trained
Breakdown of Entries by Trainer
6 entries
Willie Mullins IRE - Annie Power, Briar Hill, Nichols Canyon, Renneti, Simenon, Vroum Vroum Mag
4 entries
Gordon Elliott IRE - Diamond King, Prince Of Scars, Taglietelle, Tiger Roll
John Ferguson - Aqalim, Commissioned, Parlour Games, Purple Bay
Paul Nicholls - Aux Ptits Soins, Ptit Zig, Saphir Du Rheu, Silviniaco Conti
3 entries
David Pipe - Kings Palace, Red Sherlock, Un Temps Pour Tout
2 entries
Harry Fry - Activial, Bitofapuzzle
Nicky Henderson - Bobs Worth, Whisper
Alan King - Karezak, Medinas
Tony Martin IRE - Dedigout, Noble Emperor
Noel Meade IRE - Monksland, Snow Falcon
Colin Tizzard - Third Intention, Thistlecrack
1 entry
George Charlton - Knockara Beau
Rebecca Curtis - At Fishers Cross
Warren Greatrex - Cole Harden
Sandra Hughes IRE - Lieutenant Colonel
Neil King - Lil Rockerfeller
Charlie Longsdon - Kilcooley
Andrew Lynch IRE - Zabana
Mouse Morris IRE - Alpha Des Obeaux
Mags Mullins IRE - Martello Tower
Dr Richard Newland - The Govaness
Jonjo O'Neill - More Of That
Oliver Sherwood - Deputy Dan
Dan Skelton - Value At Risk
Robert Walford - Camping Ground
Simon West - Maximiser
Horses entered in both the Stan James Champion Hurdleand the World Hurdle
Camping Ground (Robert Walford)
Nichols Canyon (Willie Mullins IRE)
Parlour Games (John Ferguson)
Purple Bay (John Ferguson)
OLBG Mares' Hurdle
Grade 1, £100,000 Total Prize Fund. 4.10pm, Tuesday, March 15, two and a half miles (2m 3f 200y). For four-year-olds and upwards, fillies and mares. Weights: 4yo: 10st 10lb; 5yo+: 11st 5lb. Entries closed January 19, entries revealed January 21 (45 entries). Scratchings deadline February 16, £5,000 supplementary entry stage & six-day confirmation stage March 9, final declarations 10am, March 13.
Horse Age Owner Trainer
ANNIE POWER (IRE) 8 Susannah Ricci Willie Mullins IRE
AURORE D'ESTRUVAL (FR) 6 Carl Hinchy Rebecca Curtis
BALLYCHORUS (IRE) 7 Barry Connell Mags Mullins IRE
BITOFAPUZZLE 8 Potensis Bloodstock Ltd & Chris Giles Harry Fry
BLUE BUTTONS (IRE) 8 Harry Fry Racing Club Harry Fry
BUCHE DE NOEL (FR) 5 David Brownlow Jamie Snowden
BUTTERCUP (FR) 5 Boultbee Brooks Ltd Venetia Williams
DANCING MEADOWS (IRE) 6 D Charlesworth Gordon Elliott IRE
DESERT QUEEN 8 The Jago Family Partnership Harry Fry
DUBH EILE (IRE) 8 Paul Bowtell & Jonathan Shinton Tim Vaughan
DUSKY LEGEND 6 Richard & Lizzie Kelvin-Hughes Alan King
FAIRYTALE THEATRE (IRE) 9 Michael Fennessy Dan Skelton
FLEMENTIME (IRE) 8 Figjam II Martin Keighley
GITANE DU BERLAIS (FR) 6 Simon Munir/Isaac Souede Willie Mullins IRE
GROOVEJET 5 Phil Cunningham Dave Morris
INTENSE TANGO 5 Cosy Seal Racing Limited Karl Burke
JENNYS MELODY (IRE) 7 Richard Gilchrist Benjamin Arthey IRE
JESSBER'S DREAM (IRE) 6 Chris Giles & Potensis Bloodstock Ltd Harry Fry
KALANE (IRE) 7 Paul Murphy Charlie Longsdon
KATIE TOO (IRE) 5 Mr & Mrs Christopher Harris Alan King
KEPPOLS QUEEN (IRE) 8 Ms C O'Loughlin Jessica Harrington IRE
LEGACY GOLD (IRE) 8 Roger Brookhouse Stuart Crawford IRE
LILY WAUGH (IRE) 9 Go To War Anthony Honeyball
MELBOURNE LADY 8 J Robb Paddy Fegan IRE
MIA'S STORM (IRE) 6 The Maple Street Partnership Alan King
MIDNIGHT JAZZ 6 Exors of the Late D Allen Ben Case
MORELLO ROYALE (IRE) 6 Ann & Tony Gale Colin Tizzard
MORNING RUN (IRE) 7 Henry Murphy Willie Mullins IRE
MOZO 5 Robin Geffen David Pipe
MYZTIQUE (IRE) 6 Ms M Mckenna Gordon Elliott IRE
PASS THE TIME 7 Dajam Ltd Neil Mulholland
PETITE PARISIENNE (FR) 5 Gigginstown House Stud Willie Mullins IRE
POLLY PEACHUM (IRE) 8 Lady Tennant & Robert Waley-Cohen Nicky Henderson
ROCK ON THE MOOR (IRE) 8 Exors of the Late Steve Hemstock Jessica Harrington IRE
RONS DREAM 6 Tania Stepney Peter Bowen
SMART TALK (IRE) 6 Mrs J A Martin Brian Ellison
STEPHANIE FRANCES (IRE) 8 Mandy Hall Dan Skelton
TARA FLOW 6 Kate & Andrew Brooks Venetia Williams
TARA POINT 7 Robin Geffen Paul Nicholls
THE GOVANESS 7 C B Brookes Dr Richard Newland
TOCORORO (IRE) 4 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott IRE
TWENTYTWO'S TAKEN (IRE) 8 K Alexander David Pipe
VROUM VROUM MAG (FR) 7 Susannah Ricci Willie Mullins IRE
WHISTLE DIXIE (IRE) 6 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott IRE
WHITEOUT (GER) 5 David Lawlor Willie Mullins IRE
45 entries
16 Irish-trained
Breakdown of Entries by Trainer
6 entries
Willie Mullins IRE - Annie Power, Gitane Du Berlais, Morning Run, Petite Parisienne, Vroum Vroum Mag, Whiteout
4 entries
Gordon Elliott IRE - Dancing Meadows, Myztique, Tocororo, Whistle Dixie
Harry Fry - Bitofapuzzle, Blue Buttons, Desert Queen, Jessber's Dream
3 entries
Alan King - Dusky Legend, Katie Too, Mia's Storm
2 entries
Jessica Harrington IRE - Keppols Queen, Rock On The Moor
David Pipe - Mozo, Twentytwo's Taken
Dan Skelton - Fairytale Theatre, Stephanie Frances
Venetia Williams - Buttercup, Tara Flow
1 entry
Benjamin Arthey IRE - Jennys Melody
Peter Bowen - Rons Dream
Karl Burke - Intense Tango
Ben Case - Midnight Jazz
Stuart Crawford IRE - Legacy Gold
Rebecca Curtis - Aurore D'Estruval
Brian Ellison - Smart Talk
Paddy Fegan IRE - Melbourne Lady
Nicky Henderson - Polly Peachum
Anthony Honeyball - Lily Waugh
Charlie Longsdon - Kalane
Martin Keighley - Flementime
Dave Morris - Groovejet
Neil Mulholland - Pass The Time
Mags Mullins IRE - Ballychorus
Dr Richard Newland - The Govaness
Paul Nicholls - Tara Point
Jamie Snowden - Buche De Noel
Colin Tizzard - Morello Royale
Tim Vaughan - Dubh Eile
Some shocks in there NO windsor park and suprised arctic fire diddnt atleast get an entry
As if by magic The Headmaster comes up trumps. Thank you sir.
Yes scooby, gutted about Windsor Park 
Backed him NRNB at least.
Backed him NRNB at least.
AF arguably lost a G1 with Mullins obsession of finding a 3 miler. He should've been in the Ryanair against NC and IT and owners I presume not very happy.
well we'll soon know re: Arctic Fire after Sunday's Irish Champion Hurdle timtim.
Timtin - Might have just been a case of trying to find a Cheltenham race to win for the owners. Either way it turned against him badly. Glad to see Arctic Fire back on track over 2m. GL
Absolutely made up that The New One isn't entered for the World Hurdle. He would have a superb chance but I like the way Nigel Twiston-Davies isn't even attempting to bow to the pressure of any "experts", Nigel knows the horse better than anyone.
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