A top-class entry of 47 has been received for the £50,000 Weatherbys Champion Bumper, run over an extended two miles at Cheltenham on Wednesday, March 12.
Willie Mullins, who both trained and rode the winner of this race in 1996 and has subsequently saddled four more winners, is responsible for four of the 19 Irish-trained entries. His team is headed by wide-margin debut Gowran Park winners Apt Approach and Lilywhitedancer, while the improving dual winner Drive On Regardless is also entered along with debut Punchestown winner Cousin Vinny.
Irish-trained runners have been successful in the Weatherbys Champion Bumper 12 times since the race was introduced in 1992 and Colm Murphy looks to have a strong contender in three-time winner Zaarito. The unbeaten six-year-old was a comfortable winner on his debut at Kilbeggan in June, before following up at Tipperary in October, when he had subsequent Grade Three novice hurdle winner Glenrock Leader back in fourth. His most recent success came at Naas on February 9, when he raced clear of the field inside the final furlong to record an impressive victory under the double winner's penalty.
Other challengers of note from across the Irish Sea include Noel Meade's pair of Corskeagh Royale and Cottage Oak, Dermot Weld's smart duo of Endless Intrigue and Explanation, Ted Walsh's dual winner Genuine Pearl and Edward O'Grady's Cockleshell Road, who had Drive On Regardles back in sixth when winning at Fairyhouse on December 2.
The last-named trainer has also entered Rock Steady, who won his bumper at Fairyhouse in December when in the care of Henry de Bromhead before being sold and will carry the same colours as Big Eared Fran, a Danehill gelding who was successful on his only start at Sandown on November 10 for trainer Tor Sturgis. He now comes from the stable of David Pipe, along with Aboukir Bay and Prince Geeno.
Nicky Henderson has entered impressive dual winner Gold Award, who will be the Queen?s first Cheltenham Festival runner. Too backward to run on the Flat when in the care of Sir Michael Stoute, Gold Award comprehensively won on his debut at Fakenham on January 14, before following up at Ascot on February 16.
Howard Johnson has entered Santo Stefano, who was runner-up to Time Electric when trained by Mag Mullins before – after being bought for £180,000 at a sale at Cheltenham in January - finishing third for his new connections at Newcastle on February 23.
Other entries of note from home are Paul Nicholls' easy Chepstow winner Mahonia and Donald McCain Jnr's Bangor winner Youngstown, while Carl Llewellyn?s trio is headed by Kingston Lane, a two-time winner at Chepstow, and is completed by Hellfire Club and The Old Pretender.