Rooster Booster named in record race entry

Rooster Booster, the Champion Hurdle winner of 2003, is among a record 134 entries for the Vincent O’Brien County Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham.

The popular grey won this race three years ago, although he is still more likely to try to regain his Champion crown next month.

Another horse with the same engagements is Michael O’Brien’s progressive Essex, impressive winner of the Pierse Hurdle and totesport Trophy on his last two starts.

As well as Essex, a strong Irish entry for the March 18 race includes John Queally’s Al Eile and Noel Meade’s Power Elite, who were third and fifth respectively in the totesport Trophy.

Bongo Fury, the runner-up that day, is among 14 Martin Pipe entries.

Paul Nicholls sent out Sporazene to take the concluding event of the Festival last March and the Ditcheat trainer can choose from five this time.

These include Perouse, who was runner-up to Inglis Drever in the Kingwell Hurdle at Wincanton on Saturday.