Sweet sixteen for Ballymore

A field of 16 will go to post for the Ballymore Properties Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham on Wednesday.

All the market-leaders have been declared, with Nicky Henderson’s Aigle D’Or, the Tom Cooper-trained Forpadydeplasterer and Alan King’s Group Captain in the line-up.

Willie Mullins sprung a minor surprise by aiming Fiveforthree at this race, rather than the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, and will be ridden by Ruby Walsh.

As a result, Sam Thomas has come in for the plum ride on Grade One winner Breedsbreeze, owned by Jim Lewis of Best Mate fame.

Strengthening the Irish hand are Trafford Lad, Venalmar, Raven’s Run and Whatuthink.

Nigel Twiston-Davies’ Razor Royale, the Keith Goldsworthy-trained Hold Em and Dermot Weld’s Majestic Concorde are also engaged.

Fond Of A Drop, King In Waiting, Lightening Strike and Logans Run complete the line-up.