The Peter O'Sullevan National Hunt Chase Challenge Cup, named to honour racing's most famous commentator's 90th birthday, has attracted 56 entries, which includes 18 from Ireland. The race is for amateur riders and is run over four miles on Wednesday, March 12.
Among David Pipe's four entries is Over The Creek, who has taken well to the larger obstacles this season, winning two of his six starts and posting a placing of fourth or better in the rest. The Pond House handler's team is completed by the useful My Immortal, Nobody Tells Me and Nacadour.
Champion trainer Paul Nicholls has entered both dual novice chase winner Ornais and lightly-raced Leading Attraction.
Alan King is set to be represented by Old Benny, who has been placed on all three starts over fences this season. "He was second at Newbury the other day to Ornais and it is the logical place for him as he stays very well,” said King.
Jonjo O'Neill, winner of four of the last six renewals of this race, most recently with Butler?s Cabin 12 months ago, has entered five for the £75,000 contest. His team includes promising chaser Nor’Nor’East, formerly Irish-based pair of Olay Olay and Firth Of Forth, along with The King Of Angels and Pass It On.
The Irish contingent includes Sean Aherne's Beantown, who has only raced twice since finishing a close second to Hot Weld in the 2006 renewal of this race. Since making his comeback fourth on New Year's Eve, he scored an easy victory in Navan on January 26, when he had Parrot Cay, the seven-length runner-up, and Gilligans Hall behind.
Henry de Bromhead has entered Sizing Africa, while other leading Irish challengers include Noel Meade's Whataboutya, Dessie Hughes' former Festival winner Oulart and Jessica Harrington's Badgerlaw.
Other notable entries from Britain include Victor Dartnall's Here’s Johnny, Ferdy Murphy's Top Cloud and Philip Hobbs' Minella Tipperary.
Venetia Williams has entered both Back On Line and Ma Yahab and Nigel Twiston-Davies has both Beat The Boys and Rimsky among the 56 entries. Nicky Henderson has entered Menchikov, who was a winner on his first outing of the season on February 6 on his chasing debut.