The Dark Lord’s scheduled chasing debut has been delayed a few days because his owner is likely to have an interest in a Group One race at Newmarket on Saturday.

Solerina, who landed her sixth success of the season at Leopardstown on Sunday, heads 128 entries in the Royal & SunAlliance Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham on Wednesday, March 12.

THERE are 44 entries in the £300,000 Smurfit Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham on March 11, including 12 trained in Ireland as well as two each from France and Germany.