OVER half of the 59 entries for the JLT Chase at the Cheltenham Festival are Irish-trained. There are 31 Irish hopefuls in all, of which Gordon Elliott (12) and Willie Mullins (13) are responsible for 25.

However, the favourite for the race is the Ben Pauling-trained Willoughby Court (4/1), who has already won a Grade 2 over two and a half miles this season. He won a thrilling renewal of the Neptune Investmentment Management Novices’ Hurdle last season and should be well suited to good spring ground when the festival comes along again.