Super Solerina heads SunAlliance entries

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.

The six-year-old, from the Limestone Lad stable of Michael Bowe, heads a 39-strong Irish party for the two miles, five furlong prize.

Also featuring prominently among the Irish contingent is Hardy Eustace from Dessie Hughes’ yard, unbeaten in his three outings over hurdles, while last year’s Weatherbys Champion Bumper winner Pizarro is one of six entries for Edward O’Grady.

Jonjo O’Neill’s Coolnagorna is the ante-post favourite following an impressive win in the Grade One Stan James Challow Hurdle at Newbury by 29 lengths.

Victor Dartnall’s stable star Lord Sam, whose latest success came at Kempton earlier this month, is another leading contender.

The Thierry Doumen-trained Foreman is the sole French entry and there are two German possibles, Acamani and Saitensohn, trained by Christian Von Der Recke.

Nicky Henderson has the highest number of entries with 11, including Calling Brave and Chauvinist.

Kopeck will be one of trainer Josh Gifford’s final runners at the Festival before he hands over the reins of his Findon yard to his son Nick next June.

Best Mate’s full-brother Inca Trail is one of three Henrietta Knight-trained entries. He chased home Lord Sam in a novice hurdle at Kempton on Boxing Day before winning at Ludlow.