Alaivan among 29 Triumph acceptors
Carlito Brigante
Saturday March 13 2010
Edward O'Grady's Alaivan heads 29 possibles for Friday's JCB Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.
Formerly a classy racer on the level for John Oxx, Alaivan has won two of his three starts over hurdles. His only defeat came at the hands of Gordon Elliott's Carlito Brigante, who is set to take him on again.
Paul Nicholls is due to run the unbeaten Advisor, while Nicky Henderson's exciting prospect Soldatino is set to line up for the Seven Barrows team.
Willie Mullins' Secant Star and Charles Byrnes' Pittoni add strength in depth to Ireland's challenge.
Tom George's Olofi and Charlie Egerton's Westlin' Winds are others holding claims, while Nick Williams has left in Me Voici despite regularly stating he has reservations about running him in the juvenile championship.
Those still engaged that could also run in the Fred Winter include David Pipe's Notus De La Tour, Brian Ellison's Bothy and Alan King's Gilded Age.
Tell Massini tops the six-day entries for the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle. The Tom George-trained six-year-old takes a 100% record over jumps to the Festival, having won all his three starts, including twice over the course.
Robin Dickin's stable star Restless Harry is all set to take his chance, while there is a strong Irish presence that includes Enterprise Park, Quel Esprit and Fionnegas from Willie Mullins' yard and Paul Nolan's Shinrock Paddy.
The Paul Nicholls-trained Najaf, Alan King's The Betchworth Kid and David Pipe's unbeaten Chartreux are other interesting possibles for the three-mile test.
