Halcon tops eight in feature

Gold Cup fourth Halcon Genelardais heads a field of eight for the Letheby & Christopher Chase at Cheltenham on Saturday.

The Alan King-trained nine-year-old finished an admirable third off top weight in the Coral Welsh National in December, staying on at the death after getting outpaced.

"The ground should be fine for him and I have been very happy with how he has been ever since his run in the Welsh National," said King. "Hopefully he will go very well."

Snoopy Loopy takes his chance in the quest for more Order of Merit points, while Tingle Creek runner-up Tidal Bay travels south from Howard Johnson's County Durham base.

"I'm not worried about the trip," said Johnson. "He jumped 32 in the indoor school the other day, the worry is that I haven't been able to school him on the grass as we don't want to sicken him on deep ground.

"He's very well in himself. Obviously the heavy ground is a worry but there is nowhere else to go."

Slight concern

Star De Mohaison and Nozic represent Paul Nicholls, who appears to favour the former if he handles the heavy ground.

"Star De Mohaison is in serious order, he gets in really well at the weights because of the conditions," he said.

"I just have a slight concern about the ground for him as his best form is on better ground.

"I'm not actually that bothered about it though, because he has form on soft and heavy.

"He's very fit and he's very well - you have to take your chances when they come along sometimes.

"Nozic was very impressive in the Rowland Meyrick last time in what was effectively his first run for ages because he departed early on his only other run.

"The time before that he was only just beaten by Madison Du Berlais, who has since won the Hennessy."

Joe Lively, who invariably runs well at this course, takes his chance for Colin Tizzard while Roll Along and Ollie Magern complete the field.

Lough Derg back

Meanwhile, eight horses will also line-up for the Byrne Group Cleeve Hurdle headed by World Hurdle favourite Punchestowns.

Paul Nicholls' Big Buck's will bid to put himself in the picture for the Festival feature while Blazing Bailey will represent the Alan King yard.

Lough Derg is in action again seven days after winning at Ascot while Fair Along makes the step out of handicap company under young partner Rhys Flint.

Pettifour bids to return to his best now that Nigel Twiston-Davies is back among the winners and Howard Johnson will see if No Refuge can go some way to filling the massive void left by Inglis Drever.

Fellow northern challenger Turpin Green completes the eight-runner field.