O'Neill in the hunt again

Jonjo O’Neill will rely on Classic Native and Golden Rambler as he bids for a fourth consecutive win in the National Hunt Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

The Jackdaws Castle handler sent out Native Emperor to take the extended four-mile race last year following on from victories for Sudden Shock and Rith Dubh.

O’Neill has endured a lean season due to a virus in the yard and Classic Native has not run since December while Golden Rambler was pulled up at Haydock last month.

Ante-post favourite is Pat Hughes’ Point Barrow, winner of both a Grade Two and Grade Three chase this season, and he is one of 11 Irish-trained entries.

The Tony Martin stable has entered both Beau Colina and Rare Ouzel while Martin Pipe has the choice of 10 entries headed by Control Man and Sixo.

Ferdy Murphy’s promising novice Your A Gassman is among the 54 entries for the race as is Tom George’s Lord Of Illusion, who is also in the William Hill Trophy Chase and Royal & SunAlliance Chase at the Festival meeting.