Market leaders declare for Ballymore

Racing:  All the market-leaders have declared for the Ballymore Properties Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham tomorrow, with Nicky Henderson's Aigle D'Or, the Tom Cooper-trained Forpadydeplasterer and Alan King's Group Captain in the 16-strong line-up.

Willie Mullins sprung a minor surprise by aiming Fiveforthree at this race, rather than the Supreme Novices' Hurdle, and will be ridden by Ruby Walsh.

As a result, Sam Thomas has come in for the plum ride on Grade One winner Breedsbreeze, owned by Jim Lewis of Best Mate fame.

Strengthening the Irish hand are Trafford Lad, Venalmar, Raven's Run and Whatuthink.

Nigel Twiston-Davies' Razor Royale, the Keith Goldsworthy-trained Hold Em and Dermot Weld's Majestic Concorde are also engaged.

Fond Of A Drop, King In Waiting, Lightening Strike and Logans Run complete the line-up.

Venalmar has not been seen since beating Trafford Lad in a Grade Two event at Naas in early January but meets that rival on 7lb worst terms.

"It was always the plan to keep him fresh for this," said trainer Mouse Morris. "Everything has gone to plan with him and the ground should be perfect.

"He meets Trafford Lad on worst terms and whether he has made that much improvement we will see tomorrow.

"We always said that whatever he did this year would be a bonus and he will be going over fences next season."

Another Irish challenger, Whatuthink, beat Forpadydeplasterer at Leopardstown in December before disappointing against the same horse in the Deloitte Hurdle.

However, he scoped badly after that run and connections believe he has a cracking each-way chance.

"He scoped badly last time and if you put a line through that run he has a great chance," said Adrian Keatley, assistant trainer to Oliver McKiernan.

"The ground should be perfect for him — he's shown his best form on good or yielding ground so we'll have no worries on that score.

"Conor O'Dwyer is on him and he knows this place like the back of his hand.

"It would be great to provide him with a winner at his last Festival."