Confirmed runners and riders for Relkeel Hurdle at Cheltenham as Brighterdaysahead conqueror bids to get back on track

Last season's Cheltenham Festival winner Golden Ace, the only horse to have beaten Brighterdaysahead, returns to Prestbury Park on Wednesday for the Grade 2 Relkeel Hurdle (3.15).

Golden Ace inflicted the only defeat Sunday's sensational Leopardstown winner Brighterdaysahead has suffered in her ten-race career in the Mares' Novice Hurdle at the festival last March.

The Jeremy Scott-trained mare makes her second start of the season in the Dornan Engineering-sponsored contest over 2m4f against six rivals, including two-time Coral Cup winner Langer Dan.

Go racing in January

On her first start of the campaign, Golden Ace finished fourth of five in the Grade 2 Ascot Hurdle won by Lucky Place, who reopposes for Nicky Henderson and Nico de Boinville.

Henderson will be looking to continue a brilliant festive period as he bids for a fifth Relkeel victory.

Salver, Gowel Road, Thunder Rock and Twig complete the field, with Gala Marceau and Take No Chances the two entries not confirmed.

December Gold Cup winner Gemirande faces eight rivals in the £100,000 Betfair Exchange Handicap Chase (2.05), including Springwell Bay and Colonel Harry.

The weights are headed by the Paul Nicholls-trained Hitman, while 2023 winner Midnight River represents Britain's trainers' title leader Dan Skelton.

The smart Kalif Du Berlais tackles just two rivals - Tedley and Vincenzo - in the 2m novice handicap chase.

A yellow weather warning covering the Cheltenham area has been issued for New Year's Day with very strong winds peaking at 45-50mph forecast during the afternoon.

Relkeel Hurdle confirmed runners and riders

Lucky Place Nico de Boinville
Langer Dan Harry Skelton
Salver Caoilin Quinn
Gowel Road Sam Twiston-Davies
Thunder Rock Sean Bowen
Twig Beau Morgan
Golden Ace Lorcan Williams

Paddy Power: 9-4 Golden Ace, 3 Lucky Place, 7-2 Langer Dan, 9-2 Salver, 10 Thunder Rock, 16 Gowel Road, 33 Twig

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