Hot favourite Thistlecrack and last year's winner Cole Harden are among 18 horses still in contention for the Ryanair World Hurdle on Thursday following the six-day entry stage.
The Colin Tizzard-trained Thistlecrack has carried all before him in the staying hurdle division this season, landing the Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury and the Long Walk at Ascot before romping home in the Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham in January.
Cole Harden was beaten by Thistlecrack at Newbury and finished well-held in the Relkeel Hurdle at Cheltenham on New Year's Day, but connections are adamant he will put up a staunch defence of his crown on the drying ground on his return to Prestbury Park next week.
Willie Mullins has left in Champion Hurdle contender Nichols Canyon and Mares' Hurdle favourite Vroum Vroum Mag, but has removed Annie Power.
Other contenders include the Paul Nicholls-trained duo of Saphir Du Rheu, runner-up last year, and Aux Ptits Soins and Nicky Henderson's Whisper.
