Hazel Hill, Shantou Flyer and Top Wood, the 1-2-3 from last year’s St James’s Place Foxhunter Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, are among 34 entries for this year’s race.
Among those not engaged are Hazel Hill's Philip Rowley-trained stablemate Wishing And Hoping, Caroline Robinson's The Dellercheckout and Caryto Des Brosses from David Kemp's stable.
Britain's champion hunters' chase trainer, Rose Loxton is responsible for three entries – Shantou Flyer, Caid Du Berlais and Earth Leader, while champion Jump trainer Paul Nicholls has entered the David Maxwell-owned Bob And Co and also Alcala – the pair finished first and second at Fontwell on Sunday.
Tom Ellis has entered Kalabaloo and Latenightpass – the last-named was bred by and races in the colours of the trainer's mother, Pip – while Ollie Pimlott has entered Duhallow Tornado and Carter McKay. Owned by David Redvers, Carter McKay is engaged at Charm Park on Sunday.
Don Poli bids to convert two Alnwick victories into a Festival triumph for trainer Nick Pearce, and while Caryto Des Brosses is an absentee his stablemate, Law Of Gold (pictured above, blue check, no.12), is in the frame following his recent Horseheath win.
Former Magners Cheltenham Gold Cup runner-up Minella Rocco appears to be relishing hunters' chases this season and at ten is clearly still young enough to play a big part – trained by Jonjo O'Neill, Minella Rocco beat Hazel Hill at Wetherby on his latest start. Kelso winner Mr Mercurial is also entered, while leading ladies' open horse Southfield Theatre is another candidate.
Eight hunters trained in Ireland are in the picture, headed by the Willie Mullins-trained Billaway.
Eyes on the prize...the St James's Place Foxhunter Chase trophy