Star mare Honeysuckle to face maximum of nine rivals in Champion Hurdle

Honeysuckle will face a maximum of nine rivals in the Unibet Champion Hurdle after confirmations were revealed for the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival.

The defending champion could be joined by Appreciate It, her nearest market rival, along with Teahupoo, previous winner Epatante and Adagio.

Last season's Triumph Hurdle winner Quilixios was taken out of the race along with Monmiral and Tritonic.

In the Supreme Novices' Hurdle, billed as one of the races of the week, Willie Mullins has left in eight potential runners including leading novices Sir Gerhard, Dysart Dynamo and Kilcruit. Their main festival target is still unknown, as the trio are also entered in the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle on Wednesday.

Top four-year-old prospect Pied Piper was also taken out of the race while Classic Getaway and Colonel Mustard were other notable absentees.

The Nicky Henderson-trained Jonbon and Constitution Hill also feature in the opener, while another leading British-trained hope, Edwardstone, heads 14 confirmed for the Sporting Life Arkle.

As expected, Gabynako was supplemented for the Arkle by trainer Gavin Cromwell for a fee of £8,000. He had options over further but his trainer told the Racing Post the decision was based as this contest looked the weakest of the three Grade 1 novice chases to be run through the week. He was the only supplemented runner for the opening day.

Cheltenham day one: full card, entries and betting

Third Time Lucki, Shakem Up'Arry, Ciel De Neige and Elixir De Nutz were taken out of the Arkle.

Ante-post favourite Telmesomethinggirl was among 15 left in the Close Brothers Mares' Hurdle, while Icare Allen was a notable absentee in the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle, possibly indicating he will head for the Triumph Hurdle.

At this forfeit stage, field sizes for four races are up on last year, two are down and one level.

Read more Cheltenham Festival news:

The seven horses for whom Cheltenham Festival targets remain unclear

Five Racing Post tipsters including Tom Segal share their Cheltenham Lucky 15s

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