How the Stayers' Hurdle field reveals much about Willie Mullins' novice chase plans

The initial entry stage was unlikely to resolve the annual argument between the Champion Hurdle and Mares' Hurdle, and so it didn't. We are no nearer to finding out the target for Brighterdaysahead, Lossiemouth and Kargese than we were on Monday. 

That drama will have to play out in the weeks ahead. By and large it will take place not on the course but in quotes, rune-reading and Betfair moves, each of unknown veracity. It is by far the most tiresome part of the build-up to Cheltenham.

There is at least a true wildcard among the 16 entries for the Champion Hurdle in the Japanese-trained eight-year-old entire All The World. His name is new to me, too. The research I have done into him is likely to be an exercise as worthwhile as a dog chasing a tennis ball.