Supreme, Ballymore and Albert Bartlett: potential runners and a long-range shout

The major first half and festive period of jumps racing has passed and that means the build-up for this year's Cheltenham Festival cranks up another notch.

Who will contest each of the 28 season-defining races at the festival will become clearer week by week, and the entries for the meeting's three top novice hurdles, as well as the Triumph Hurdle for juveniles, were announced on Tuesday.

Many of jump racing's superstars have taken their earliest steps in these contests and fans got an early glimpse of what they can expect from some of the most informative races across an epic four days in March.

Big-race entries: 2022 Cheltenham Festival

Big-race entries

Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle (1.30 Cheltenham, March 15)

Total entries: 61
The key horses: The Nicky Henderson-trained pair of Constitution Hill and Jonbon lead the British entries for the opening race of the festival, with Constitution Hill at the head of the market following a dominant victory in the Tolworth.

Dysart Dynamo could pose the biggest danger to the pair following a devastating 19-length romp in the Grade 2 Moscow Flyer Novice Hurdle in January, remaining unbeaten in four starts for Willie Mullins.

Dysart Dynamo: out to take on leading Nicky Henderson hopes in the Supreme Novices'Credit: Caroline Norris (racingpost.com/photos)

Also among a typically strong contingent for Ireland's champion trainer is last year's Champion Bumper winner Sir Gerhard and El Fabiolo, while Mighty Potter may bid to claim his second Grade 1 contest after success over Christmas.

Ante-post favourite: Constitution Hill (9-4)

Ballymore Novices' Hurdle (1.30 Cheltenham, March 16)

Total entries: 95
The key horses: Supreme candidates Constitution Hill, Jonbon, Sir Gerhard and Dysart Dynamo are all entered for the day two opener in a list dominated by the Irish.

Ginto, who claimed the Grade 1 Lawlor's Of Naas Novice Hurdle in stylish fashion this month, is entered for Gordon Elliott while Journey With Me made a dazzling start over hurdles when defeating Kilcruit and could run for Henry De Bromhead in the colours of last year's winner Bob Olinger.

Also entered is Stage Star, who romped to Grade 1 glory at Newbury in December for Paul Nicholls, while Henderson has another star novice in contention in Walking On Air, who cruised home at Newbury last week.

Ante-post favourite: Sir Gerhard(4-1)

JCB Triumph Hurdle (1.30 Cheltenham, March 18)

Total entries: 59
The key horses: Fil Dor has made a flawless start to hurdling and, after claiming Grade 3 and Grade 2 victories already this season, could add a top-level victory to his name on the final day of the festival.

Sent off favourite in each of his three starts for Gordon Elliott, the four-year-old grey may run in the next week's Spring Juvenile Hurdle at the Dublin Racing Festival ahead of a tilt at Cheltenham.

Fil Dor: well fancied for the Triumph Hurdle on day four of the festivalCredit: Caroline Norris (racingpost.com/photos)

Grade 1 winner Porticello could represent trainer Gary Moore after a ready success at Chepstow over Christmas. His only defeat in four starts thus far came to Knight Salute, who is also entered for trainer Milton Harris.

The Mullins pair of Icare Allen and Vauban are also entered alongside Iceo, who won by 17 lengths on his debut for Paul Nicholls at Kempton in December.

Ante-post favourite: Fil Dor(5-2)

Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle (2.50 Cheltenham, March 18)

Total entries: 52
The key horses: Ginto and Journey With Me, who are also among the entries for the Ballymore Hurdle, are likely contenders for this 3m test alongside Hollow Games, who ran home third behind Ginto at Naas.

The Henry Daly-trained Hillcrest, who is set to run this weekend in his final prep before March, holds an entry for this contest while Flat trainer Archie Watson could seek a memorable first success at the festival with recent Warwick winner Stag Horn.

The Joseph O'Brien-trained Eric Bloodaxe is entered following his Grade 2 success at Limerick over Christmas, while Minella Crooner and Gerri Colombe could also feature.

Ante-post favourite: Ginto(5-1)

Long-range shout: Walking On Air

Walking On Air
Ballymore Novices' Hurdle
10-1 generally

This five-year-old appears to be held in high regard among a strong team of novice hurdlers at Nicky Henderson's Seven Barrows yard and he has gone off a short price for both outings.

He was turned over after looking set to win when sent off 11-8 favourite on his debut in a bumper at Kempton in March, but made no mistake on hurdles debut at Newbury last week.

Walking On Air went off 5-6 favourite for that 2m½f novice hurdle on Wednesday and left a couple of smart prospects trailing in his wake when bolting up by 13 lengths on the bridle.

The time is nothing special but he ran the final three furlongs quickly and is bred to improve for a longer trip. His dam, Refinement, got three miles and was second in the mares' hurdle in 2008.
Graeme Rodway, deputy betting editor

Read more from our Festival Fields package:

Henderson and Mullins on course to clash in Supreme as novice entry numbers drop

'We're in a great position' - Constitution Hill owner relishing Supreme mission (Members' Club)

'Fil Dor goes for the Triumph' - 5-2 favourite on target despite Supreme entry (Members' Club)

Irish View: Dysart Dynamo the main hope as visitors bid for another novice hurdle lockout (Members' Club)

'DRF could blow the race wide open' - three talking points from the Ballymore (Members' Club)

'Hillcrest could be best of the home team' - four hot Albert Bartlett topics (Members' Club)

'Fil Dor to buck worrying favourites trend?' - four hot Triumph Hurdle topics (Members' Club)

Upping The Ante star Gavin Lynch joins the Racing Post roster for a weekly Saturday column throughout the jumps season. He'll offer a guide to the weekend action, highlight the horses and races to watch and share his punting wisdom. Read it every Saturday in the Racing Post or online from 4pm every Friday, exclusively for Members' Club subscribers. Sign up to Members' Club here for more top jumps season insight.