The entries for the the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase, the Weatherbys Champion Bumper, the new Trull House Stud Mares' Novices Hurdle and the St James's Place Foxhunter Chase at the Cheltenham Festival have been released.

The £60,000 Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase on Wednesday, March 16th, is run as a conditions race for the first time at the festival, having previously been a handicap. A total 25 entries for the unique contest over three and three quarter miles include Balthazar King (Philip Hobbs), who was successful in 2012 and 2014.

Irish trainers have been responsible for nine of the 11 winners of the race and 15 Irish-trained entries for this year's race include Josies Orders (Enda Bolger), who has taken both of the Cross Country Chases at Cheltenham so far this season, and recent Irish Gold Cup fourth Foxrock (Ted Walsh).

Wednesday also features the £70,000 Grade 1 Weatherbys Champion Bumper, which has attracted 32 entries. The championship contest has been dominated by Irish-trained horses as well, with Irish handlers having sent out 17 of the 23 winners. Willie Mullins has engaged 10 horses as he bids for a ninth victory in the race, including Navan Listed bumper scorer Augusta Kate, while champion Flat trainer Aidan O'Brien may aim for his first festival win in 16 years with Aspen Colorado.

The home challenge looks set to be headed by Coeur Blimey (Susan Gardner) and Ballyandy (Nigel Twiston-Davies), who were first and second in a listed bumper at Ascot in December.

The inaugural £75,000 Grade 2 Trull House Stud Mares' Novices' Hurdle is the final race on Thursday, March 17th, and 36 entries for the two mile, one furlong contest include Limini, who easily won a Grade 3 mares' novices' hurdle at Fairyhouse in January for Mullins.

Richard and Lizzie Kelvin-Hughes, who own the sponsor Trull House Stud, may be represented by the Nicky Henderson-trained pair of Chocca Wocca and Robins Reef, plus Dusky Legend, from the stable of Alan King.

On The Fringe was a decisive winner of the £40,000 St James's Place Foxhunter Chase at Cheltenham last year and the Enda Bolger-trained 11-year-old heads 41 contenders for this year's race, which takes place on Friday, March 18th.

Paint The Clouds (Warren Greatrex), who was third last season, went on to finish fourth in the Grade 3 Bet365 Handicap Chase at Sandown Park and warmed up for this year's race with an easy victory at Doncaster on February 24th.

Other entries include Marito (Colin McBratney) and Aupcharlie (Henry de Bromhead), who fought out the finish to a point-to-point at Oldtown on February 7th, plus Pacha Du Polder (Paul Nicholls), the intended mount of Victoria Pendleton, who is due to run in the 3.20pm at Wincanton today.

A total of 1,823 entries were made for the 28 races at the Cheltenham Festival in 2016, with 601 of those trained in Ireland.

This means that 33% of the entries are Irish-trained, the second highest percentage ever, following on from the 34.35% last year when there were 647 Irish entries out of 1,884.

GLENFARCLAS CROSS COUNTRY CHASE

£60,000. Cheltenham, 4.10pm, Wednesday, March 16th. 3m 6f 37yds. Maximum 16 runners.

Horse Age Owner Trainer

ANY CURRENCY (IRE) 13 Cash Is King Martin Keighley

ASTIGOS (FR) 9 A Brooks Venetia Williams

BALLYBOKER BRIDGE (IRE) 9 Ms H T Clarke McKeon Peter Maher IRE

BALTHAZAR KING (IRE) 12 The Brushmakers Philip Hobbs

BLESS THE WINGS (IRE) 11 Adrian Butler/S P O'Connor Gordon Elliott IRE

BOXING ALONG (IRE) 12 L Halley Vincent Halley IRE

CANTLOW (IRE) 11 J P McManus Enda Bolger IRE

CURRENT EXCHANGE (IRE) 11 Kaniz Bloodstock Investments Ltd Gordon Elliott IRE

DOLATULO (FR) 9 Chasemore Farm Warren Greatrex

FOXROCK (IRE) 8 Barry Connell Ted Walsh IRE

JOSIES ORDERS (IRE) 8 J P McManus Enda Bolger IRE

LOVE RORY (IRE) 8 Exors of the Late E Kavanagh Enda Bolger IRE

MERLIN'S WISH 11 Miss R Toppin Martin Keighley

MTADA SUPREME (IRE) 11 Mrs B Beattie Peter Maher IRE

PINEROLO 10 Golden Syndicate & Partner Joanne Foster

PROSPERITY SQUARE (IRE) 11 Owen Curtin Conor O'Dwyer IRE

QUANTITATIVEEASING (IRE) 11 J P McManus Enda Bolger IRE

RIVAGE D'OR (FR) 11 Gigginstown House Stud Tony Martin IRE

ROSSVOSS 8 D F Desmond Ted Walsh IRE

SIRE COLLONGES (FR) 10 Mrs Angela Tincknell & W Tincknell Paul Nicholls

SPRING HEELED (IRE) 9 Dr Ronan Lambe Jim Culloty IRE

THIRD INTENTION (IRE) 9 Robert and Sarah Tizzard Colin Tizzard

UNCLE JUNIOR (IRE) 15 Luke McMahon Willie Mullins IRE

UTAH DE LA COQUAIS (FR) 8 Joel Chaineau Eric Leray FR

VALADOM (FR) 7 Richard Hobson Richard Hobson

25 entries

15 Irish-trained, 1 French-trained

WEATHERBYS CHAMPION BUMPER

Grade 1, £70,000. 5.30pm, Wednesday, March 16th. 2m 87yds. Max 24 runners.

Horse Age Owner Trainer

ANY DRAMA (IRE) 5 Nicholas Cooper Harry Fry

ASPEN COLORADO (IRE) 4 J P McManus Aidan O'Brien IRE

AUGUSTA KATE 5 The Masters Syndicate Willie Mullins IRE

AUGUSTIN (FR) 6 Luke McMahon Willie Mullins IRE

AVENIR D'UNE VIE (FR) 6 Gigginstown House Stud Willie Mullins IRE

BACARDYS (FR) 5 Shanakiel Racing Syndicate Willie Mullins IRE

BALLYANDY 5 Options O Syndicate Nigel Twiston-Davies

BALLYMALIN (IRE) 6 Nigel Twiston-Davies Nigel Twiston-Davies

BATTLEFORD 5 Andrea & Graham Wylie Willie Mullins IRE

BLOW BY BLOW (IRE) 5 Gigginstown House Stud Willie Mullins IRE

CASTELLO SFORZA (IRE) 5 J P McManus Willie Mullins IRE

COEUR BLIMEY (IRE) 5 Keith Harris Susan Gardner

COMPADRE (IRE) 5 Sue Magnier, Derrick Smith & Michael Tabor Jonjo O'Neill

CRIQ ROCK (FR) 5 The Trouble Partnership Alan King

DRUID'S FOLLY (IRE) 6 C R Trembath Rebecca Curtis

FIRST FIGARO (GER) 6 Bellamy Syndicate Dermot Weld IRE

GEORDIE DES CHAMPS (IRE) 5 Trembath, Outhart, Moran & Costelloe Rebecca Curtis

GOOD THYNE TARA 6 Nigel King Willie Mullins IRE

HIGH BRIDGE 5 Bloomfields John Ferguson

JAM SESSION (IRE) 4 Michael H Watt Ian Williams

JOT'EM DOWN (IRE) 5 Simon Hunt David Bridgwater

KING UTHER 6 Anthony Ward-Thomas Chris Gordon

NEW TO THIS TOWN (IRE) 5 New To This Town Syndicate Jessica Harrington IRE

ONTHEWESTERNFRONT (IRE) 6 Sue Magnier, Derrick Smith & Michael Tabor Jonjo O'Neill

PRIDE OF LECALE 5 Paul & Clare Rooney Fergal O'Brien

RATHER BE (IRE) 5 Matt & Lauren Morgan Nicky Henderson

SPIRIT OF KAYF 5 Sprayclad UK Sandy Thomson

TURCAGUA (FR) 6 Susannah Ricci Willie Mullins IRE

UTILITY (GER) 5 Sue Magnier, Derrick Smith & Michael Tabor Jonjo O'Neill

VERY MUCH SO (IRE) 6 Supreme Horse Racing Club/Brett Graham Willie Mullins IRE

WESTEND STORY (IRE) 5 Mick Fitzgerald Racing Club Philip Hobbs

WINSOME BUCKS (IRE) 6 Robert Sinclair Tom Hogan IRE

32 entries

14 Irish-trained

TRULL HOUSE STUD MARES' NOVICE HURDLE

Grade 2, £75,000. 5.30pm, Thursday, March 17th. 2m 179yds. Max 22 runners.

Horse Age Owner Trainer

ACTINPIECES 5 Pam Sly Pam Sly

APPLE'S JADE (FR) 4 Gigginstown House Stud Willie Mullins IRE

AWESOME ROSIE 5 Mrs Meacham, Withyslade & Mrs A L Davies Alan King

BANTAM (IRE) 6 Brooke Kelly Partnership Henry Daly

BLOODY MARY (FR) 5 J P McManus Nicky Henderson

BUCHE DE NOEL (FR) 5 David Brownlow Jamie Snowden

BUTTERCUP (FR) 5 Boultbee Brooks Ltd Venetia Williams

CHOCCA WOCCA 6 Richard & Lizzie Kelvin-Hughes Nicky Henderson

DANIELLE'S JOURNEY 6 Realta Horseracing Club Stuart Crawford IRE

DUSKY LEGEND 6 Richard & Lizzie Kelvin-Hughes Alan King

ELUSIVE IVY (IRE) 6 E Waters Gavin Cromwell IRE

GIRLY GIRL (IRE) 7 T Crowe Dan Skelton

HOLLIES PEARL 6 Roy Swinburne Peter Bowen

HOPE'S WISHES 6 M J Hills Barry Brennan

JAUNE ET BLEUE (FR) 4 Favourites Racing Ltd David Dennis

JER'S GIRL (IRE) 4 E Bourke Gavin Cromwell IRE

KATIE TOO (IRE) 5 Mr & Mrs Christopher Harris Alan King

LA PAIMPOLAISE (FR) 4 Mark Albon & Chris Stedman Gary Moore

LIMINI (IRE) 5 Susannah Ricci Willie Mullins IRE

MISS SERIOUS (IRE) 6 Pillhead House Partners Jeremy Scott

MONBEG ROSE (IRE) 6 Gigginstown House Stud Willie Mullins IRE

MOZO 5 Robin Geffen David Pipe

MYSKA (IRE) 6 Supreme Horse Racing Club Willie Mullins IRE

MYZTIQUE (IRE) 6 Ms M Mckenna Gordon Elliott IRE

OMESSA HAS (FR) 4 Simon Munir & Isaac Souede Nicky Henderson

RIA D'ETEL (FR) 4 Simon Munir/Isaac Souede Willie Mullins IRE

ROBINS REEF (IRE) 6 Kelvin-Hughes & Bartlett Nicky Henderson

RUBY RAMBLER 6 Sara Dennis, J Wadham & J Wilson Lucy Wadham

SMART TALK (IRE) 6 Mrs J A Martin Brian Ellison

SUNSHINE CORNER (IRE) 5 P A Philipps & Mrs G J Redman Lucy Wadham

TARA FLOW 6 Kate & Andrew Brooks Venetia Williams

TEA IN TRANSVAAL (IRE) 5 M J Haines Evan Williams

TOCORORO (IRE) 4 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott IRE

WATER SPRITE (IRE) 5 Five Men Syndicate Gordon Elliott IRE

WHISTLE DIXIE (IRE) 6 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott IRE

WHY WAIT (FR) 4 Jean-Yves Artu Jean-Yves Artu FR

36 entries

12 Irish-trained, 1 French-trained

ST JAMES'S PLACE FOXHUNTER CHASE

£40,000 total prize fund. 4.10pm, Friday, March 18th. 3m 2f 70yds. Max 24 runners.

Horse Age Owner Trainer

ACE HIGH 12 Janet Ackner Janet Ackner

ALSKAMATIC 10 The Plantation Picnic Club Richard Bandey

ANSEANACHAI CLISTE (IRE) 8 Michael McConville Stephen McConville IRE

AUPCHARLIE (IRE) 10 Ann & Alan Potts Partnership Henry de Bromhead IRE

BEGGAR'S VELVET (IRE) 10 James R Adams Drew Holmes

BRACKLOON HIGH (IRE) 11 M H D Barlow Michael Kehoe

CAMDEN (IRE) 10 Sarah Easterby Sarah Easterby

CARSONSTOWN BOY (IRE) 12 J T Monaghan Colin McBratney IRE

CAVE HUNTER (IRE) 9 Niel Manning Wendy Hamilton

CHAPOTURGEON (FR) 12 The Jack Barber Racing Club Jack Barber

CHOSEN DREAM (IRE) 8 Mrs M E Hagan Graham McKeever IRE

CLANCY STRAND (NZ) 11 N O'Rourke Niall Madden IRE

CONSIGLIERE (FR) 13 Alan Hill Alan Hill

CURRENT EVENT (FR) 9 Pearl Bloodstock Ltd Rose Loxton

CURRENT EXCHANGE (IRE) 11 Kaniz Bloodstock Investments Ltd Gordon Elliott IRE

DARK LOVER (GER) 11 The Dark Lovers Jamie Snowden

GOOD EGG (IRE) 13 Rippon, Wertheimer & Wills Sarah Rippon

HIGHLY UNLIKELY (IRE) 10 Four Seasons Partnership Charlotte Evans

IMPACT AREA (IRE) 10 Harriet Waight Harriet Waight

INDIANA BAY (IRE) 9 Leslie, Cowling & Furse Jill Dennis

IT CAME TO PASS (IRE) 6 Dr Ronan Lambe Jim Culloty IRE

JOIN TOGETHER (IRE) 11 Ian & Wendy Fogg Rose Loxton

LUSKA LAD (IRE) 12 Paddy & Sean Syndicate John Hanlon IRE

MAJOR MALARKEY (IRE) 13 Baker Dodd & Cooke Nigel Twiston-Davies

MARITO (GER) 10 James Marley/Samuel Downey Colin McBratney IRE

MENDIP EXPRESS (IRE) 10 David Maxwell Racing Limited Philip Hobbs

MR MERCURIAL (IRE) 8 David Rogers Sheila Crow

NEED TO KNOW (IRE) 8 Marie Brennan/Colm Hearne John Paul Brennan IRE

NIGHT ALLIANCE (IRE) 11 Peter Philips Peter Philips

ON THE FRINGE (IRE) 11 J P McManus Enda Bolger IRE

PACHA DU POLDER (FR) 9 The Stewart Family Paul Nicholls

PAINT THE CLOUDS 11 Peter Deal & Jill & Robin Eynon Warren Greatrex

PALYPSO DE CREEK (FR) 13 Michael Dawson Michael Dawson

PARKAM JACK 10 J F Symes Kayley Woollacott

PEARLYSTEPS 13 The Glazeley Partnership Henry Daly

PENA DORADA (IRE) 9 Alan Brown Alan Brown

RICHMOND (FR) 11 Miss L M Turner Philip Turner

SCHINDLER'S PRINCE (IRE) 11 Alastair McLeish James Ridley

TEMPLE GRANDIN (IRE) 9 Philip Rowley Philip Rowley

TWIRLING MAGNET (IRE) 10 Gay Smith Jonjo O'Neill

YOUNG HURRICANE (IRE) 10 C Helfferich Guy Brewer

41 entries

11 Irish-trained

LOTS MORE CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL NEWS IN THE IRISH FIELD THIS WEEKEND