Inglis Drever heads World Hurdle entries for Cheltenham Festival
Howard Johnson's star stayer became the first horse to claim three victories in the Grade One affair at the 2008 Cheltenham Festival as he held the Francois Doumen-trained raider after a thrilling battle up the hill.
However, Inglis Drever is far from certain to bid for a four-timer as he is currently continuing his recovery from a hock injury sustained at Newbury in November.
Last year's third and fourth, Kazal and Blazing Bailey, are also in the frame for another crack at the stayers' crown, along with Nicky Henderson's hot favourite Punchestowns.
Eoin Griffin is planning to give Kazal – one of 11 Irish entries – a spin at Gowran next week and could head straight to Cheltenham if all goes to plan.
"The Ladbrokes World Hurdle is on the agenda for Kazal at the moment," he said.
"He's in good form and we have been happy with his preparation for the Galmoy Hurdle at Gowran Park next week, in which he came third last year.
"His run in the Hatton's Grace Hurdle (on November 30) was disappointing and so we decided to give the Christmas races a skip.
"We've changed a few things with him, including his training schedule, and are very happy with him now.
"We'll see how he gets on in the Galmoy Hurdle and I would have a preference to send him straight to Cheltenham afterwards.
"Hopefully, he can win at Gowran Park in a comfortable fashion and that would give us the confidence to go straight to the Festival."
Henderson has plenty of choices with Duc De Regniere, Afrad, Afsoun, Aigle D'Or and Blue Shark also entered.
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