Strong field for World Hurdle

A total of 50 entries, 15 more than in 2005, have been revealed for the Ladbrokes World Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival on March 16.

Although last year’s winner Inglis Drever will be absent through injury, stablemates No Refuge, Akilak and Royal Rosa provide trainer Howard Johnson with a strong back-up team.

A high-class international list includes five French-trained performers, headed by 2002 and 2003 winner Baracouda.

Francois Doumen’s 11-year-old, who finished runner-up to Inglis Drever in last year’s renewal, could be joined in the line-up by stablemates Millenium Royal and Blue Canyon.

Rhinestone Cowboy is one of four Jonjo O’Neill-trained possibles alongside star novice hurdler Black Jack Ketchum, Exotic Dancer and Fire Dragon.

The form of the Grade One totepsort Long Walk Hurdle at Chepstow on December 27 is well represented by the winner My Way De Solzen, second-placed Neptune Collonges, Starzaan (third), Brewster (fifth), Carlys Quest (sixth) and Mistanoora (seventh).

Mighty Man and The Market Man, who finished first and second in the Relkeel Hurdle at Cheltenham in December, could also reoppose.

Martin Pipe has six entries – Classified, It Takes Time, Korelo, Lough Derg, Standin Obligation and Westender – while there is a record 13-strong Irish-trained entry including Golden Cross, Asian Maze, Strangely Brown, Rosaker and Al Eile.