MIN

Ante-post favourite Min is one of 25 horses still in contention for the Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle following the six-day confirmation stage. The Willie Mullins-trained five-year-old has made a big impression in two Irish starts to date and is a warm order to provide his connections with a fourth successive victory in the Cheltenham Festival curtain-raiser next Tuesday.

Mullins has also left in the well-backed Yorkhill, as well as Babbling Stream, Bachasson, Bello Conti, Bellshill, Long Dog, Petit Mouchoir and Thomas Hobson. Other leading hopes include the Nicky Henderson-trained duo of Altior and Buveur D'Air, Gordon Elliott's pair of Ball D'Arc and Tombstone and Supasundae from Henry de Bromhead's yard.

DOUVAN

Douvan could face as many as 13 rivals in the Racing Post Arkle Challenge Trophy at Cheltenham on Tuesday. Willie Mullins' six-year-old, impressive winner of the Supreme Novices' Hurdle 12 months ago and unbeaten over fences, is a long odds-on favourite. Ireland's champion trainer has also left in Shaneshill and Outlander.

Nicky Henderson has two possibles in Vaniteux and L'Ami Serge, although the latter is more likely to tackle the JLT Novices' Chase. Fox Norton and Baltimore Rock could take their chances for Neil Mulholland, with Venetia Williams leaving in Aso and Zamdy Man. The Game Changer is Gordon Elliott's representative while Henry de Bromhead Sizing John and Sizing Codelco in the frame.

Evan Williams' On Tour is also still in the mix as is Garde Le Victorie, but a decision over whether he runs in this or the JLT has still to be made.

Among those taken out were Ttebbob, Velvet Maker, Arzal and Rock The World.

VROUM VROUM MAG

Vroum Vroum Mag is set to be the headline act in the OLBG Mares' Hurdle at Cheltenham on Tuesday. Willie Mullins has also confirmed Annie Power at the six-day entry stage, but she looks set to bid for glory in the Champion Hurdle earlier in the afternoon after being supplemented, as expected, at a cost of £20,000.

In her absence, Vroum Vroum Mag is set to go off a hot favourite, having won each of her eight starts for the Mullins stable. Mullins could also call upon Gitane Du Berlais and Whiteout.

Other contenders among 26 to stand their ground include last year's runner-up Polly Peachum, trained by Nicky Henderson, the Rebecca Curtis-trained Aurore D'Estruval and the Harry Fry-trained trio of Bitofapuzzle, Desert Queen and Jessber's Dream. Flute Bowl, who defeated Jessber's Dream at Warwick last time, has been supplemented for the race by trainer Gary Moore.

CHELTENHAM GROUND UPDATE

Cheltenham's clerk of the course Simon Claisse reports the track to be soft all round with just six days to go until the start of the Festival. Heavy rain fell in the Cotswolds overnight, but there is a predominantly dry forecast from now until the showpiece meeting gets under way next Tuesday.

Claisse said: " We had 24 millimetres of rain overnight which has left the course soft all round."

He went on: "There is tiny spit in the air, but the outlook is mostly dry and it's also due to turn milder.I'm happy the rain has come today and not this time next week."

Asked about the prospect of watering, Claisse added: "That does not feature in our current plans."