National Hunt: Seven up for Bula

A small but select field will line-up for the Victor Chandler Bula Hurdle after no further entries were received for the £75,000 event at Cheltenham on Saturday.

There were no additions to the seven original entries today after the race had been re-opened until this morning.

But the septet is not lacking on quality with Landing Light, who made a successful appearance in the Pertemps ‘Fighting Fifth’ Hurdle, heading the list.

The Nicky Richards-trained The French Furze, only beaten a length by Nicky Henderson’s six-year-old at Newcastle, is set to renew rivalry.

A surprising entry is Sir Talbot. He looked an unlucky loser in this race two years ago when he fell at the second-last flight, leaving Relkeel to take the prize for the third successive year.

Jim Old’s charge was runner-up to the Henderson-trained Blue Royal at Ascot a week later but has not raced since.

After his win at Wincanton last month, Azertyuiop is set to represent Paul Nicholls while champion trainer Martin Pipe could rely on Valiramix.

Bidding to do better than last year is Hors La Loi III, who was pulled up in this race when Landing Light’s stablemate Geos took the spoils.

Completing the seven is the sole Irish entry Penny Rich, trained by Tom Hogan.

Victor Chandler Bula Hurdle: Azertyuiop, Landing Light, Valiramix, Hors La Loi III, Penny Rich, Sir Talbot, The French Furze (7).