THE top three National Hunt trainers in Ireland have entries at Cheltenham on Friday, the first day's racing of the new season at the track.

Friday's feature race is the Grade 2 Oddschecker Novices' Hurdle over an extended two miles. The early betting sees Nicky Henderson's Planters Punch (won three 'junior' hurdles last season) installed as 5/2 favourite, followed by Dan Skelton's Cooltobecareless, a recent Chepstow winner.

Bill Durkan's Golden Handshake, a winner at Killarney and Listowel, is next in the betting at 9/2.

Recent Killarney winner Cocofred (12/1) could represent Henry de Bromhead while Willie Mullins has entered Mr Hollywood (16/1), last seen finishing seventh in the Group 1 Prix du Cadran on Arc weekend at ParisLongchamp. Also entered for a novice hurdle over two and a half miles on the same card, Mr Hollywood won a maiden hurdle at the Galway Festival prior to finishing down the field in the Ebor Handicap.

There are 25 Irish-trained entries across Friday's seven races. Denis Hogan's Frankie John looks to have leading claims in the two-mile novices' chase. A Grade 3 winner at Gowran Park recently, the six-year-old heads the market at 11/4, followed by Gordon Elliott's Bowensonfire (9/2). Elliott has also entered Manoir De Mirande, a winner over this trip at Fairyhouse on October 10th (8/1).

The going at Cheltenham was described on Sunday as good, good to firm in places.