King Enters Chief Contender

Mille Chief heads 77 contenders for the JCB Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival on March 19.

Trainer Alan King, who has engaged four charges including Chief, has previously enjoyed two triumphs in the juvenile championship courtesy of Penzance in 2005 and Katchit in 2007, as well as producing the last two runners-up in Franchoek and Walkon

Zaynar ran home a fourth Triumph Hurdle success for Nicky Henderson last year and the Seven Barrows trainer has entered seven this time around including According.

Champion trainer Paul Nicholls is hoping to follow up Celestial Halo's victory in 2008 and has put in the Royal Ascot Racing Club's Advisor, Sang Bleu, Royal Mix and Pistolet Noir amongst his seven.

Notus De La Tour and Hunterview are entered for David Pipe, while John Quinn has put forward Doncaster victor Blue Nymph and Tom George has entered Olofi and Brian Ellison has engaged Bothy.
Victory

The last Irish-trained winner, Scolardy in 2002, was trained by Willie Mullins, who has entered Gowran champion Secant Star, Final Approach and Doctor Deejay amongst the 21-strong Irish contingent.

Other entries from the Emerald Isle include Gordon Elliott's Carlito Brigante, Edward O'Grady's Alaivan, Henry de Bromhead's Gallilei and Michael Halford's Shanrod.

Meanwhile, Paul Nolan is hoping for a good run from Shinrock Paddy in the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle.

Paddy is among a 30-strong Irish entry for the Festival fixture, with 91 possibles put forward overall.

Nolan is hoping the gelding can follow up his impressive 15-length victory in the Barry & Sandra Kelly Memorial Novice Hurdle at Navan in December.

"Shinrock Paddy holds an entry in both the Neptune Investment and the Albert Bartlett but he is more than likely to go for the three-mile option," said Nolan.

"He just got a bit of infection in one of his heels last month but he is 100 per cent now and we will head straight to The Festival with him.

"I don't want to rush him into running and he will have a gallop on the grass before heading to Cheltenham.

Favourite

"He won a Grade One very easily and, while the runner-up has disappointed since, The Hurl (third) won well on his latest start. If our horse can reproduce that kind of form at Cheltenham, then he should have a nice chance."

Tell Massini, from Tom George's Slad stable, is the ante-post favourite for the Bartlett after securing a victory over the course and distance in December, while Restless Harry is a leading contender for Robin Dickin and Nicholls has engaged four, including French imports Najaf and River D'Or.

King, who won the race with Nenuphar Collonges in 2008, has also entered four including The Betchworth Kid, while Philip Hobbs has put in Triggerman and Donald McCain has entered Wymott and Will Be Done - the latter of which is a Grade Two novice chase victor.

David Pipe-trained Madison Du Berlais is another notable chaser in the running after finishing second to Kauto Star in the King George VI Chase, while Evan Williams has put forward 2009 Christie Foxhunter Chase winner Cappa Bleu and Henry Daly has entered Possol.

Australian trainer Anthony Cosgriff has put in Gorge, who came fourth in the Grand National Hurdle at Sandown, Australia last year.