Rooster heats 12 in Bula Hurdle

Rooster Booster heads 12 entries for the Tote Bula Hurdle at Cheltenham on Saturday.

The Champion Hurdle hero is likely to face strong opposition in his first race since being beaten by the Irish-trained Sacundai at Aintree in April.

One of those expected to take on the Philip Hobbs-trained grey is Irish raider Davenport Milenium.

Trainer Willie Mullins has booked Ruby Walsh for the ride on the seven-year-old, who made a pleasing comeback from 11 months on the sidelines when fourth to Solerina at Fairyhouse recently.

Davenport Milenium is also in the Giltspur Scientific Tara Hurdle at Navan on Sunday, but Mullins has indicated that Cheltenham is the first preference.

Spirit Leader may bid to give Irish trainer Jessica Harrington a second successive major triumph in Britain following Moscow Flyer’s win in the Tingle Creek Trophy Chase at Sandown last Saturday.

Spirit Leader scooped two big prizes in Britain in the second half of last season, the Tote Gold Trophy at Newbury and Cheltenham’s County Hurdle.

Two possible runners from the North are Fighting Fifth Hurdle winner The French Furze, trained in Cumbria by Nicky Richards, and Chivalry, from Howard Johnson’s County Durham yard.

The four-year-old won on his hurdles debut after being bought out of Sir Mark Prescott’s stable following his success in the Tote Cambridgeshire at Newmarket in October.

Jonjo O’Neill has put in his Australian import Specular as well as Hasty Prince.

Other interesting entries include the Paul Nicholls-trained Rigmarole, who had Hasty Prince back in third when winning at Cheltenham last month, and Hughie Morrison’s Tom Paddington, a winner at Newbury recently.

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