MONKFISH faces just five rivals as he bids to maintain his unbeaten record over fences in the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase at Cheltenham.

The Willie Mullins-trained seven-year-old has looked a cut above the opposition in winning all his three starts over fences.

He has won his last six races in all, including the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle at the festival in 2020.

Henry de Bromhead’s Eklat De Rire, winner of a Naas Grade 3, is the only fellow Irish-trained horse in the line-up on Wednesday.

Sporting John

The Philip Hobbs-trained Sporting John, who bounced back to form in the Scilly Novices’ Chase at Sandown, heads the home brigade. Colin Tizzard’s pair of Fiddlerontheroof and The Big Breakaway and Nicky Henderson’s Dickie Diver make up the sextet.

Ballymore

Bob Olinger, from the de Bromhead stable, tops another small but select field of seven for the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle.

He is ante-post favourite on the back of a comfortable victory in the Lawlor’s Of Naas Novice Hurdle.

The Mullins-trained Gaillard Du Mesnil is his main market rival after his Grade 1 success at Leopardstown.

The Paul Nicholls-trained Bravemansgame looks the pick of the UK team, having won the Challow Hurdle at Newbury.

Tiger's task

Dual Grand National hero Tiger Roll will try to win the Glenfarclas Chase for a third time, with 14 horses declared for the cross-country test.

Successful in 2018 and 2019, Tiger Roll was brushed aside by Easysland 12 months ago.

David Cottin’s French raider takes on the Denise Foster-trained 11-year-old as both horses try to revive seasons which have got none smoothly to this point.

Christian Williams’ Potters Corner, winner of the Midlands and Welsh Nationals, is an intriguing contender – while Michael Scudamore’s Kingswell Theatre and John McConnell’s course-and-distance winner Some Neck add to the interest.

Bumper favourites

Mullins has the two market leaders, in Kilcruit and Sir Gerhard, after 15 were declared for the Weatherbys Champion Bumper.

The Closutton handler is responsible for five of the runners in all – with Cool Jet, Ramillies and Grangee also in the line-up as he seeks to win this race for an 11th time.

The Joseph O’Brien-trained pair of Entoucas and Embittered are near the head of the betting in a typically competitive renewal of the Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Challenge Cup.

Duc De Genievres heads the weights after a maximum field of 20 was declared for the two-mile handicap chase.

Olly Murphy’s Thomas Darby must give weight all-round in the Coral Cup to another maximum field – of 26, for the handicap hurdle over two miles five furlongs.

Nicky Henderson has won the race a record four times and this time has a team of four – Janika, Monte Cristo, Birchdale and Craigneiche.

WEDNESDAY’S DECLARED RUNNERS

1:20pm Ballymore Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1) (Registered as The Baring Bingham) 2m 5f

1 Bear Ghylls (IRE) 6 11 7 Nicky Martin Bradley Partnership Matt Griffiths

2 Bob Olinger (IRE) 6 11 7 Henry de Bromhead Ireland Robcour Rachael Blackmore

3 Bravemansgame (FR) 6 11 7 Paul Nicholls John Dance and Bryan Drew Harry Cobden

4 Does He Know h 6 11 7 Kim Bailey Yes He Does Syndicate David Bass

5 Gaillard du Mesnil (FR) h 5 11 7 W. P. Mullins Ireland Mrs J. Donnelly P. Townend

6 Keskonrisk (FR) ts 6 11 7 Joseph Patrick O'Brien Ireland Mr Claudio Michael Grech

7 Optimise Prime (IRE) 5 11 7 Ben Pauling Mrs Rachel Brodie & Mr John Brodie Daryl Jacob

1:55pm Brown Advisory Novices' Chase (Grade 1) (Registered as The Broadway Novices' Chase) 3m 80y

1 Dickie Diver (IRE) 8 11 4 Nicky Henderson Mr John P. McManus Aidan Coleman

2 Eklat de Rire (FR) 7 11 4 Henry de Bromhead Ireland Mr P. Davies Rachael Blackmore

3 Fiddlerontheroof (IRE) ts 7 11 4 Colin Tizzard Taylor, Burley & O'Dwyer Robbie Power

4 Monkfish (IRE) 7 11 4 W. P. Mullins Ireland Mrs S. Ricci P. Townend

5 Sporting John (IRE) 6 11 4 Philip Hobbs Mr John P. McManus Richard Johnson

6 The Big Breakaway (IRE) 6 11 4 Colin Tizzard Eric Jones, Geoff Nicholas, John Romans Harry Cobden

2:30 pm 21585 Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle (Class 1)(Grade 3) (GBB Race) 2m 5f

1 Thomas Darby (IRE) p 8 11 12 Olly Murphy Mrs Diana L. Whateley Aidan Coleman

2 Grand Roi (FR) 5 11 6 Mrs Denise Foster Ireland Noel Moran/Mrs Valerie Moran Jack Kennedy

3 Koshari (FR) 9 11 3 W. P. Mullins Ireland Mrs S. Ricci P. Townend

4 Janika (FR) ts 8 11 2 Nicky Henderson Mr Simon Munir & Mr Isaac Souede James Bowen

5 Monte Cristo (FR) 5 11 2 Nicky Henderson Mr Simon Munir & Mr Isaac Souede Daryl Jacob

6 Birchdale (IRE) 7 11 1 Nicky Henderson Mr John P. McManus Nico de Boinville

7 Sayo p 7 11 0 W. P. Mullins Ireland Miss M. A. Masterson B. J. Cooper

8 Saint Sonnet (FR) ts 6 11 0 Paul Nicholls Mr Colm Donlon Harry Cobden

9 Botox Has (FR) 5 10 13 Gary Moore Mr John Stone Joshua Moore

10 Tea Clipper (IRE) 6 10 12 Tom Lacey Mr Jerry Hinds & Mr Ashley Head Jonathan Burke

11 Burbank (IRE) p 9 10 11 James Moffatt Varlien Vyner-Brooks,Dave&Yvonne Simpson Charlotte Jones (5)

12 Craigneiche (IRE) 7 10 10 Nicky Henderson Mr Robert Kirkland Tom Cannon

13 Boreham Bill (IRE) 9 10 10 Emma Lavelle Mrs Susan Foran Ben Jones (3)

14 Garo de Juilley (FR) ts 9 10 10 Sophie Leech Mr G. Thompson Felix de Giles

15 Heaven Help Us (IRE) p 7 10 9 P. Hennessy Ireland Mr J. Turner Richard Condon (7)

16 Blue Sari (FR) ts 6 10 9 W. P. Mullins Ireland Mr John P. McManus Mark Walsh

17 Dysart Diamond (IRE) ts 6 10 8 W. P. Mullins Ireland Ms Eleanor Manning Daniel Mullins

18 Sneaky Getaway (IRE) p 8 10 8 Emmet Mullins Ireland Mrs Margaret O'Rourke/E Hogan Brian Hayes

19 Palmers Hill (IRE) 8 10 6 Jonjo O'Neill Mr John P. McManus Jonjo O'Neill Jr.

20 Shakem Up'arry (IRE) 7 10 6 Ben Pauling Mr Harry Redknapp David Bass

21 Our Power (IRE) 6 10 6 Nigel Twiston-Davies Walters Plant Hire & Potter Group Gavin Sheehan

22 Shang Tang (IRE) 7 10 6 Emma Lavelle T. Syder & N. Mustoe Tom Bellamy

23 Guard Your Dreams h 5 10 6 Nigel Twiston-Davies Graham and Alison Jelley Sam Twiston-Davies

24 Nelson River 6 10 4 Tony Carroll CCCP Syndicate Harry Bannister

25 Dans Le Vent (FR) 8 10 3 Evan Williams R J Gambarini Racing Isabel Williams (5)

26 Witness Protection (IRE) 8 10 1 Martin Keighley Foxtrot Racing Witness Protection James Best

R27 Breffniboy (FR) 7 10 1 Johnny Farrelly Mr F. A. Clegg Mitchell Bastyan (3)

R28 Encore Champs (IRE) 7 10 0 Dan Skelton Bryan Drew

Eliminated: Vive Le Roi (IRE) Dalton Highway (IRE) Switch Hitter (IRE) Sometimes Always (IRE) Sandymount Rose (IRE) Debestyman (IRE)

3:05pm Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase (Grade 1) (GBB Race) 1m 7f 199y

1 Chacun Pour Soi (FR) 9 11 10 W. P. Mullins Ireland Mrs S. Ricci P. Townend

2 Cilaos Emery (FR) h 9 11 10 W. P. Mullins Ireland Luke McMahon B. J. Cooper

3 First Flow (IRE) 9 11 10 Kim Bailey Mr A. N. Solomons David Bass

4 Greaneteen (FR) 7 11 10 Paul Nicholls Chris Giles Bryony Frost

5 Notebook (GER) ts 8 11 10 Henry de Bromhead Ireland Gigginstown House Stud Rachael Blackmore

6 Nube Negra (SPA) ts 7 11 10 Dan Skelton Mr T. Spraggett Harry Skelton

7 Politologue (FR) ts 10 11 10 Paul Nicholls Mr J. Hales Harry Cobden

8 Rouge Vif (FR) ts 7 11 10 Harry Whittington Kate & Andrew Brooks Gavin Sheehan

9 Sceau Royal (FR) 9 11 10 Alan King Mr Simon Munir & Mr Isaac Souede Daryl Jacob

10 Put The Kettle On (IRE) 7 11 3 Henry de Bromhead Ireland One For Luck Racing Syndicate Aidan Coleman

3:40pm Glenfarclas Chase (A Cross Country Chase) 3m 6f 37y

1 Alpha des Obeaux (FR) bl,ts 11 11 4 Mrs Denise Foster Ireland Gigginstown House Stud

2 Artic Pearl ts 10 11 4 Martin Brassil Ireland Sean & Bernardine Mulryan

3 Balko des Flos (FR) 10 11 4 Henry de Bromhead Ireland Gigginstown House Stud Rachael Blackmore

4 Defi Des Carres (FR) 8 11 4 Charlie Mann Mrs John Thorneloe & MJR Bannister Harry Bannister

5 Easysland (FR) ts, p 7 11 4 D. Cottin France Mr John P. McManus Felix de Giles

6 Hogan's Height (IRE) ts 10 11 4 Jamie Snowden Foxtrot Racing: Hogan's Height Gavin Sheehan

7 Kings Temptation ts 9 11 4 Ben Case Lady Jane Grosvenor Bryan Carver

8 Kingswell Theatre p 12 11 4 Michael Scudamore Mr John J. Murray Tom Scudamore

9 Le Breuil (FR) 9 11 4 Ben Pauling Mrs Emma Palmer Kielan Woods

10 Out Sam v,ts 12 11 4 Mrs Denise Foster Ireland Mr D Charlesworth

11 Potters Corner (IRE) p 11 11 4 Christian Williams All Stars Sports Racing & J Davies Nick Scholfield

12 Some Neck (FR) p 10 11 4 John McConnell Ireland Some Neck Partnership Richard Johnson

13 Tiger Roll (IRE) bl,ts 11 11 4 Mrs Denise Foster Ireland Gigginstown House Stud Keith Donoghue

14 Vivas (FR) bl,ts 10 11 4 Charlie Longsdon Mr Nigel M. Davies Charlie Deutsch

4:15pm Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Challenge Cup Handicap Chase (Grade 3) 1m 7f 199y

1 Duc des Genievres (FR) h,ts 8 11 12 Paul Nicholls Sullivan Bloodstock Limited Lorcan Williams (3)

2 Sizing Pottsie (FR) ts 7 11 10 Mrs J. Harrington Ireland Ann & Alan Potts Limited Robbie Power

3 Chosen Mate (IRE) ts 8 11 10 Mrs Denise Foster Ireland The Northern Four Racing Partnership Jordan Gainford (7)

4 Ibleo (FR) 8 11 8 Venetia Williams The Bellamy Partnership Charlie Deutsch

5 Sky Pirate ts 8 11 6 Jonjo O'Neill Mr M. Tedham Nick Scholfield

6 Bun Doran (IRE) 10 11 4 Tom George Crossed Fingers Partnership Jonathan Burke

7 Us And Them (IRE) ts 8 11 1 Joseph Patrick O'Brien Ireland Burnham P & D Ltd J. J. Slevin

8 Moonlighter 8 11 1 Nick Williams Huw & Richard Davies & Friends Racing David Bass

9 Glen Forsa (IRE) 9 11 1 Mick Channon Mr T. P. Radford Tom Scudamore

10 Amoola Gold (GER) 8 11 0 Dan Skelton Mr & Mrs Gordon Pink Bridget Andrews

11 Embittered (IRE) ts 7 11 0 Joseph Patrick O'Brien Ireland Gigginstown House Stud Rachael Blackmore

12 Zanza (IRE) 7 10 13 Philip Hobbs Louisville Syndicate Elite Richard Johnson

13 Entoucas (FR) 7 10 11 Joseph Patrick O'Brien Ireland Mr John P. McManus Mark Walsh

14 On The Slopes ts 7 10 8 Chris Gordon Skill Scaffolding Ltd Tom Cannon

15 Ashutor (FR) ts 7 10 7 Paul Nicholls The Stewart Family Harry Cobden

16 Not That Fuisse (FR) 8 10 5 Dan Skelton Mr Colm Donlon Harry Skelton

17 Western Miller (IRE) ts, p 10 10 5 Charlie Longsdon The Pantechnicons IV Paul O'Brien (3)

18 Theinval (FR) p 11 10 4 Nicky Henderson Mr & Mrs Sandy Orr

19 Capuccimix (FR) 8 10 4 Henry de Bromhead Ireland Robcour Darragh O'Keeffe

20 Or Jaune de Somoza (FR) p 9 10 4 Mrs Denise Foster Ireland Gigginstown House Stud Jack Kennedy

Eliminated: Marracudja (FR)

4:50pm Weatherbys Champion Bumper (A Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race) (Grade 1) 2m 87y

1 Chemical Energy (IRE) 5 11 5 Mrs Denise Foster Ireland Andrew Brown/Gemma Brown Robbie Power

2 Cool Jet (IRE) 5 11 5 W. P. Mullins Ireland Mr Douglas Taylor Brian Hayes

3 Creggan White Hare (IRE) ts 6 11 5 Sean Conway Mr Sean Conway Jamie Bargary

4 Fine Casting (IRE) 5 11 5 Ben Pauling Mrs S. P. Davis Daryl Jacob

5 Jack's A Legend 6 11 5 Alan Jones Burnham P & D Ltd Tom O'Brien

6 Kilcruit (IRE) 6 11 5 W. P. Mullins Ireland Miss M. A. Masterson P. Townend

7 Ramillies (IRE) 6 11 5 W. P. Mullins Ireland Mrs J. Donnelly B. J. Cooper

8 Shearer (IRE) 5 11 5 Paul Nicholls McNeill Family A. P. Heskin

9 Sir Gerhard (IRE) 6 11 5 W. P. Mullins Ireland Cheveley Park Stud Rachael Blackmore

10 Three Stripe Life (IRE) 5 11 5 Mrs Denise Foster Ireland K Haughey/Laura Haughey/Kieran T Byrne Jack Kennedy

11 Wonderwall (IRE) 5 11 5 Richard Spencer REBEL JUMPING II James Bowen

12 Elle Est Belle 5 10 12 Dan Skelton Mrs Suzanne Lawrence Harry Skelton

13 Grangee (FR) 5 10 12 W. P. Mullins Ireland Syndicates.Racing Daniel Mullins

14 I Like To Move It 4 10 12 Nigel Twiston-Davies Anne-Marie & Jamie Shepperd Sam Twiston-Davies

15 Super Six 4 10 12 Nigel Twiston-Davies Teme Valley 2 Tom Bellamy