Constitution Hill will face a maximum of seven rivals when he bids to regain his crown in the Unibet Champion Hurdle on Tuesday.

Nicky Henderson’s unbeaten superstar was sidelined and unable to to defend his title 12 months ago, but will return to the Cotswolds next week as a hot favourite, having returned from a year off the track seemingly as good as ever.

Willie Mullins is set to saddle last year’s winner State Man, top-class mare Lossiemouth and Winter Fog.

State Man is fresh from winning his third Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown, a race in which Lossiemouth suffered a crashing fall. The latter had previously finished second to Constitution Hill in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton and is poised to renew rivalry.

Further spice is added by the presence of Gordon Elliott’s Brighterdaysahead, who has beaten State Man in her last two races and had him trailing 31 lengths in her wake when registering a scintillating victory at Leopardstown over Christmas.

Elliott has also confirmed King Of Kingsfield, who set the early pace at Leopardstown before dropping back to finish fifth.

The small but select field is completed by Jeremy Scott’s Golden Ace and the James Owen-trained Burdett Road, who finished first and second respectively in last month’s Kingwell Hurdle at Wincanton.

Golden Ace inflicted a first and so far only defeat on Brighterdaysahead when landing the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at last year’s Festival and could take her on again, although connections have stated they are leaning towards running in the Mares’ Hurdle on the same afternoon.

Burdett Road is a dual winner at Cheltenham and proved he is up to competing at the highest level when third behind Constitution Hill and Lossiemouth at Kempton on Boxing Day. He is another who has been mentioned in terms of an alternative option, in his case the County Hurdle on Gold Cup day.

Current Going (Old Course): Soft, Good to Soft in places

1:20pm Michael O'Sullivan Supreme Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m 87y

Forty Coats (IRE) 6 11 7 C. Jones Henry de Bromhead Ireland

Funiculi Funicula (FR) 5 11 7 Michael A.O'Riordan/Seamus Hennessy W. P. Mullins Ireland

Inn At The Park (IRE) 7 11 7 Mr Malcolm C. Denmark W. P. Mullins Ireland

Irancy (FR) 7 11 7 Mr John P. McManus W. P. Mullins Ireland

Kappa Jy Pyke (FR) 5 11 7 Stennett & Varmen Partnership W. P. Mullins Ireland

Karbau (FR) 5 11 7 Barnane Stud,Partner & Temple Bloodstock W. P. Mullins Ireland

Karniquet (FR) 5 11 7 Gigginstown House Stud W. P. Mullins Ireland

Kiss Will (FR) 5 11 7 H. O. S. Syndicate W. P. Mullins Ireland

Kopek des Bordes (FR) 5 11 7 Monabeg Investments Limited W. P. Mullins Ireland

Romeo Coolio 6 11 7 KTDA Racing Gordon Elliott Ireland Jack Kennedy

Salvator Mundi (FR) 5 11 7 Mrs J. Donnelly W. P. Mullins Ireland

Sky Lord 6 11 7 Mr Basil Holian Henry de Bromhead Ireland

Tripoli Flyer (IRE) 6 11 7 Mr Ismail El Magdoub Fergal O'Brien

Tutti Quanti (FR) 5 11 7 Mr Colm Donlon Paul Nicholls

Whinney Hill 5 11 7 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott Ireland

William Munny (IRE) 7 11 7 Mr Barry Connell Barry Connell Ireland

Workahead (IRE) 7 11 7 Mr Barry Maloney Henry de Bromhead Ireland

17 confirmations

2:00pm My Pension Expert Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices' Chase (Grade 1) 1m 7f 199y

Ballyburn (IRE) 7 11 7 R.A.Bartlett/David Manasseh W. P. Mullins Ireland

Firefox (IRE) 7 11 7 Bective Stud Gordon Elliott Ireland

Jango Baie (FR) 6 11 7 Countrywide Park Homes Ltd Nicky Henderson

Jordans (FR) 6 11 7 Cheeky Pups Syndicate Joseph Patrick O'Brien Ireland

Kalif du Berlais (FR) 5 11 7 Ferguson, Mason, Hales, Done & Hogarth Paul Nicholls

L'Eau du Sud (FR) 7 11 7 GMasonJHalesLHalesPHogarthSirAFerguson Dan Skelton

Majborough (FR) 5 11 7 Mr John P. McManus W. P. Mullins Ireland

Only By Night (IRE) 7 11 0 Mrs J. M. Russell Gavin Cromwell Ireland

Touch Me Not (IRE) 6 11 7 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott Ireland

9 confirmations

2:40pm Ultima Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) 3m 1f

Conflated (IRE) 11 12 0 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott Ireland

Ga Law (FR) 9 11 9 The Footie Partnership Jamie Snowden

Trelawne 9 11 9 The Real Partnership Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls

Farouk d'Alene (FR) 10 11 7 Mr Justin Carthy Gary Brown

Broadway Boy (IRE) 7 11 7 Mr D. M. Proos Nigel Twiston-Davies

Zanahiyr (IRE) 8 11 7 Bective Stud Gordon Elliott Ireland

Stay Away Fay (IRE) 8 11 7 Bell, Lyons, Hill Paul Nicholls

Victtorino (FR) 7 11 6 Martians Racing Venetia Williams

Search For Glory (IRE) 8 11 4 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott Ireland

Henry's Friend (IRE) 8 11 2 Elizabeth and Oliver Troup Ben Pauling

Masaccio (IRE) 8 11 1 McNeill Family & Niall Farrell Alan King

La Malmason (IRE) 7 11 1 Alymer Stud Ltd Gavin Cromwell Ireland

Sequestered (IRE) 7 11 1 Paul Lyons/T.C.Quinn Paul John Gilligan Ireland

Famous Bridge (IRE) 9 10 13 Hemmings Racing Nicky Richards

Richmond Lake (IRE) 9 10 13 Hemmings Racing Donald McCain

Malina Girl (IRE) 8 10 13 Mrs J. M. Russell Gavin Cromwell Ireland

The Changing Man (IRE) 8 10 11 Susan and John Waterworth Joe Tizzard

Happygolucky (IRE) 11 10 11 Lady Dulverton Mel Rowley

King Turgeon (FR) 7 10 10 Somerset Racing David Pipe

Grandeur d'Ame (FR) 9 10 10 Syders & Burkes Alan King

Gelino Bello (FR) 9 10 9 Mr and Mrs J. D. Cotton Paul Nicholls

Crebilly (IRE) 8 10 9 Mr John P. McManus Jonjo & A.J. O'Neill

Katate Dori (FR) 7 10 8 Walters Plant Hire Ltd Sam Thomas

Whistle Stop Tour (IRE) 7 10 7 Mrs Jo Tracey,K Alexander, P&S Bryceland Lucinda Russell

Frero Banbou (FR) 10 10 5 Mr P. Davies Venetia Williams

Guard Your Dreams 9 10 3 Graham and Alison Jelley Nigel Twiston-Davies

The Short Go (IRE) 8 10 3 Mr N. Byrne Henry de Bromhead Ireland

Pats Fancy (IRE) 10 10 1 Hydes,McDermott,Spencer,Frobisher & Lee Rebecca Curtis

Myretown (IRE) 8 9 12 Wymer & Russell Lucinda Russell

Straw Fan Jack 10 9 12 Mr Graham Wilson Sheila Lewis

Iris Emery (FR) 7 9 10 Mrs S. Ricci W. P. Mullins Ireland

31 confirmations

3:20pm Close Brothers Mares' Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m 3f 200y

Casa No Mento 7 11 5 LRK Racing & Willy Twiston-Davies Nigel Twiston-Davies

Dysart Enos (IRE) 7 11 5 The Good Stock Syndicate Fergal O'Brien

Gala Marceau (FR) 6 11 5 Mr K. Alexander W. P. Mullins Ireland

Golden Ace 7 11 5 Mr I. F. Gosden Jeremy Scott

Jade de Grugy (FR) 6 11 5 Mr K. Alexander W. P. Mullins Ireland

Jetara (IRE) 7 11 5 Mr G. McGrath Mrs J. Harrington Ireland

Joyeuse (FR) 6 11 5 Mr John P. McManus Nicky Henderson

July Flower (FR) 6 11 5 Mr Duncan Angove Henry de Bromhead Ireland

Kala Conti (FR) 5 11 5 Robcour Gordon Elliott Ireland

Kargese (FR) 5 11 5 Mr K. Alexander W. P. Mullins Ireland

Lossiemouth (FR) 6 11 5 Mrs S. Ricci W. P. Mullins Ireland

Nurse Susan (FR) 8 11 5 Mr Colm Donlon Dan Skelton

Queens Gamble (IRE) 7 11 5 Mr A Frost and Mr E Galvin Harry Derham

Take No Chances (IRE) 7 11 5 Mr Garry Wilson Dan Skelton

Wyenot 6 11 5 StrachanSalweyGrifithGrahamInkinThompson Henry Daly

15 confirmations

4:00pm Unibet Champion Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m 87y

Brighterdaysahead (FR) 6 11 3 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott Ireland Jack Kennedy

Burdett Road 5 11 10 The Gredley Family James Owen

Constitution Hill 8 11 10 Mr Michael Buckley Nicky Henderson

Golden Ace 7 11 3 Mr I. F. Gosden Jeremy Scott

King of Kingsfield (IRE) 7 11 10 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott Ireland

Lossiemouth (FR) 6 11 3 Mrs S. Ricci W. P. Mullins Ireland

State Man (FR) 8 11 10 Mrs J. Donnelly W. P. Mullins Ireland

Winter Fog (IRE) 11 11 10 The Triple Lock Partnership W. P. Mullins Ireland

8 confirmations

4:40pm Hallgarten and Novum Wines Juvenile Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) 2m 87y

Willy de Houelle (FR) 4 11 12 Mrs S. Ricci W. P. Mullins Ireland

Wendrock (FR) 4 11 8 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott Ireland

Murcia (FR) 4 11 8 Mr K. Alexander W. P. Mullins Ireland

Lady Vega Allen (FR) 4 11 8 Mr Michael Hilary Burke W. P. Mullins Ireland

Sony Bill (FR) 4 11 8 The Why Knot Partnership W. P. Mullins Ireland

Stencil 4 11 7 Mr John P. McManus N. George & A. Zetterholm France

Total Look (FR) 4 11 4 Mr Brendan Rodgers Gavin Cromwell Ireland

Puturhandstogether (IRE) 4 11 2 Mr John P. McManus Joseph Patrick O'Brien Ireland

Slurricane (IRE) 4 10 12 Ms Eleanora Kennedy Ross O'Sullivan Ireland

Robbies Rock 4 10 12 Mr Sean Costine Gavin Cromwell Ireland

Quantock Hills (FR) 4 10 12 Jim and Claire Limited Warren Greatrex

Teriferma 4 10 12 Mrs Mary-Ann Middleton Jack Jones

Holy See (IRE) 4 10 11 Mr William Durkan William Durkan Ireland

Turn And Finish (IRE) 4 10 11 Michael Fiddy & Richard Fleming Harry Derham

Liam Swagger 4 10 10 The Gredley Family James Owen

Solar Drive (IRE) 4 10 10 Solar Drive Six Syndicate Paul W. Flynn Ireland

Luker's Tipple (IRE) 4 10 9 Rachra Partnership Andrew Kinirons Ireland

Kool One (SPA) 4 10 9 Mr Kieran Ryan Conor David Maxwell Ireland

Mister Cessna (FR) 4 10 9 Guy Henriques & Richard Gnodde Fergal O'Brien

Beyond Your Dreams (IRE) 4 10 9 Mr John P. McManus Joseph Patrick O'Brien Ireland

Moutarde (IRE) 4 10 8 Mrs Kate Kenyon Anthony Charlton

Static (FR) 4 10 8 Mark & Maria Adams Olly Murphy

Hot Fuss (IRE) 4 10 8 Keith, David & Stephen Trowbridge Tom Dascombe

Lavender Hill Mob 4 10 7 The Gredley Family James Owen

Out For A Stroll (IRE) 4 10 7 Mr John P. McManus Joseph Patrick O'Brien Ireland

Ephesus (IRE) 4 10 7 T & M Racing Partnership Denis G. Hogan Ireland

Marche d'Aligre (FR) 4 10 7 Billam Roe Swindell Wilson & the Molds Jamie Snowden

Action Plan (IRE) 4 10 7 Purosangue Racing Syndicate G. O'Leary Ireland

Torrent 4 10 7 Denise Smith & Partner Nigel Hawke

Last Kingdom (FR) 4 10 5 Mr John P. McManus W. P. Mullins Ireland

Butter Fingers (IRE) 4 10 4 Mr T J Ward Ross O'Sullivan Ireland

Galactic Charm 4 10 3 The Fat Jockey Partnership Gary & Josh Moore

Chortal 4 10 2 Aidan J. O'Ryan/Mark Madden Gordon Elliott Ireland

Lakota Blue (FR) 4 10 1 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott Ireland

Space Warrior (IRE) 4 10 1 Mrs Helen Mullins/M.J.Lomax Thomas Mullins Ireland

Continuance 4 9 13 Martin Keighley Racing Partnership 21 Martin Keighley

Star of Guiting (IRE) 4 9 12 Willy Twiston-Davies Nigel Twiston-Davies

Ocean Conquest 4 9 11 Millsy & Dans Partnership Nigel Twiston-Davies

38 confirmations

5:20pm Princess Royal National Hunt Novices' Handicap Chase 3m 5f 201y

Duffle Coat (IRE) 8 12 0 Mr Ray Stokes Gordon Elliott Ireland

Sa Majeste (FR) 7 11 11 Mr John P. McManus W. P. Mullins Ireland

Resplendent Grey (IRE) 7 11 11 Mrs R. J. Skan Olly Murphy

Stuzzikini (IRE) 7 11 9 VCS Versatile Coating Specialist/F Foran Gordon Elliott Ireland

Captain Cody (IRE) 7 11 9 V Caldwell/A Shamoon/Mrs A Shamoon Ibgi W. P. Mullins Ireland

Now Is The Hour (IRE) 8 11 8 BDS Syndicate Gavin Cromwell Ireland

Pic Roc (IRE) 7 11 6 Mrs Emma Kendall Ben Pauling

Katate Dori (FR) 7 11 6 Walters Plant Hire Ltd Sam Thomas

Haiti Couleurs (FR) 8 11 4 The Brizzle Boys Rebecca Curtis

In d'Or (FR) 7 11 3 Mr David Maxwell Venetia Williams

Tanganyika (FR) 7 11 3 Mrs C. S. Wilson Venetia Williams

Hasthing (FR) 8 11 2 Mr John P. McManus Jonjo & A.J. O'Neill

Transmission (IRE) 8 11 2 Paul McKeon Neil Mulholland

No Time To Wait (IRE) 7 11 2 Ms Caroline Ahearn John McConnell Ireland

Will Do (IRE) 8 11 1 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott Ireland

Rock My Way (IRE) 7 11 1 J P Romans & Nick Case Joe Tizzard

Midnight Our Fred (IRE) 8 11 1 Mrs Florence Lockwood/Emily B Lockwood J. P. Flavin Ireland

Gericault Roque (FR) 9 11 0 Prof. Caroline Tisdall and Bryan Drew David Pipe

Herakles Westwood (FR) 8 10 12 Herakles Westwood AC Warren Greatrex

Klarc Kent (FR) 9 10 10 Mr Colm O'Connell W. P. Mullins Ireland

Kyntara 9 10 8 Lady Dulverton Mel Rowley

Caesar Rock (IRE) 9 10 7 Michael O'Flynn/John F O'Flynn M. F. Morris Ireland

Jupiter Allen (FR) 6 10 7 Mr Ron Watts Mrs Jane Williams

Aworkinprogress (IRE) 6 10 4 Mr John P. McManus Nick Gifford

Latenightrumble 8 10 2 Mrs P. A. Ellis Tom Ellis

Eyed 8 10 1 Mr Martin Hughes Hughie Morrison

Jasmin de Cotte (FR) 6 9 13 Mrs Kay Browne Paul Nolan Ireland

One More Stroke (IRE) 6 9 12 Mr J. Fyffe Donald McCain

Zertakt (FR) 7 9 11 Michael Davies and Peter Davies Venetia Williams

29 confirmations