Friday 6 March 2015 15:51, UK
Saphir Du Rheu, Zarkandar and Annie Power all remain in contention for the Ladbrokes World Hurdle at Cheltenham next week.
Saphir Du Rheu and Zarkandar form a formidable twin assault for champion trainer Paul Nicholls, who won the race four times with the legendary Big Buck's.
Annie Power, runner-up behind More Of That 12 months ago, is also among the 22 confirmations, but is expected to instead take on her own sex in Tuesday's OLBG Mares' Hurdle.
Her trainer Willie Mullins is still likely to be represented after also leaving in Abbyssial, Briar Hill, Pont Alexandre, Un Atout and Zaidpour.
Noel Meade's Monksland, the Tony Martin-trained Dedigout, Jessica Harrington's Jetson and Lieutenant Colonel from Sandra Hughes' yard are other contenders from Ireland while last year's Coral Cup victor Whisper is also on the list.
Former Champion Hurdler Rock On Ruby will require a different pilot next week with regular pilot Noel Fehily contracted to ride Zarkandar.
Trainer Harry Fry plans to finalise riding plans over the weekend. He said: "We haven't made a final decision yet. We've said we'll announce it over the weekend and that's what we'll do.
"We've got our shortlist of jockeys and there is major rush to make a decision. We'll announce it in due course.
"We're obviously delighted with the weather and the forecast of drying ground and Ruby seems in great form, so fingers crossed."
Rock On Ruby has won twice over an extended two and a half miles at Cheltenham this season, most recently beating Vaniteux and Cole Harden in the Dornan Engineering Hurdle on New Year's Day.
Cole Harden entered the World Hurdle picture with an impressive eight-length victory in the Grade Two West Yorkshire Hurdle at Wetherby in November, but did not run up to expectations when fourth to Saphir Du Rheu at Cheltenham on Festival Trials Day.
Trainer Warren Greatrex, seeking his first success at The Festival, said: "Cole Harden had a wind operation after the Cleeve and has come out of it fine.
"His last run was obviously a bit below what I was expecting but we had a reason and have rectified that.
"He has had two racecourse gallops and was brilliant in his last school this morning.
"He has not missed a day in the build-up and he looks incredible. He is not far off the best I have ever had him and I am expecting a big run.
"The better the ground, the better he will run and, in a wide open race, I think he has got a great each-way chance."
