Cheltenham novice races take shape

Red-hot Racing Post Arkle favourite Sprinter Sacre will have no more than 14 rivals after Cheltenham published the latest scratching stage for the Festival novice races.

Nicky Henderson's flamboyant youngster is trading at even-money with some bookmakers for the two-mile showdown after taking his unbeaten record over fences to three in last week's Game Spirit Chase at Newbury.

Last year's Champion Hurdle runner-up Peddlers Cross, who was dismissed by Sprinter Sacre at Kempton over Christmas, heads the opposition for the Arkle along with Al Ferof, Cue Card, Menorah and Bog Warrior.

Sanctuaire, who had not been committed for the race by trainer Paul Nicholls, was the lowest-priced horse of the 12 to be withdrawn.

There were no great surprises among the 25 confirmed in the RSA Chase with Grands Crus, Bobs Worth, First Lieutenant, Join Together, Sir Des Champs and Invictus all still involved.

Nicholls withdrew Silviniaco Conti, who is set to run at Aintree instead.

Plenty of those entered in either the Arkle or RSA still hold an alternative option in the 34-strong Jewson Novices' Chase over the intermediate distance of two and a half miles, and this looks the definite target of recent Newbury winner For Non Stop, who came out of the Arkle.

The novice hurdle scratchings were also released and some 61 remain engaged in the Festival curtain-raiser, the William Hill Supreme Novices' Hurdle.

All the market leaders are still there, headed by Simonsig, Galileo's Choice, Steps To Freedom, Midnight Game, Darlan and Cinders And Ashes.

Henderson has withdrawn Captain Conan and All The Aces, while Nicholls has taken out the juvenile Ranjaan.

There is no need to panic for those who have ante-post vouchers on Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle favourites Fingal Bay and Boston Bob as they remain among the 77 in contention.

This race is now the target for Philip Hobbs' smart prospect Fingal Bay, who was taken out of the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle staged later in the week.

Only 11 were removed from the 66-strong JCB Triumph Hurdle - all of them outsiders while the same could be said for the Albert Bartlett, Fingal Bay notwithstanding. Some 74 remain engaged for that race.