Olly Murphy believes Marsh test will bring out the best in Itchy Feet

Olly Murphy thinks Itchy Feet is tailor-made for Thursday's Grade 1 Marsh Novices' Chase as he dreams of a first winner at the Cheltenham Festival.

The six-year-old continued his rise up the ranks when landing Sandown's Grade 1 Scilly Isles Novices' Chase last month, and Murphy has been thrilled with him since.

"The ground won't be a problem if it comes up soft and I think he has been slightly overlooked after his Sandown win," he said about the general second favourite behind Allaho.

"I'm not really sure why as the manner of his win was impressive. Despite making a mistake at the second-last, he ran on strongly.

"It is very exciting to have my first Grade 1 winner being a live player for a Grade 1 at the festival.

"I really think this race will suit and, while there are some interesting horses such as Samcro and Allaho in there, I wouldn't swap our lad. I have been delighted with his preparation."

Willie Mullins has left himself the option of running Benie Des Dieux in the Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle, as the four-time Grade 1 winner was one of 18 left in Thursday's feature event.

The classy mare is odds-on for the Close Brothers Mares' Hurdle on the opening day, but connections still have the option of taking on last year's Stayers' Hurdle winner Paisley Park.

Thursday's Cheltenham entries

Benie Des Dieux's price has stayed at 3-1 with the race sponsors since the confirmations were made, with Paisley Park remaining a 4-6 shot.

Other key runners confirmed for the Stayers' Hurdle include Emitom, Penhill and Apple's Jade, while the notable names who will not run in the race include Champ, Laurina and Samcro.

A total of 13 runners were confirmed for the Ryanair Chase. A Plus Tard, Min and Frodon are all on course for the £350,000 Grade 1 race, while Mullins has left leading Queen Mother Champion Chase contender Chacun Pour Soi in the race at the latest stage.

Elsewhere, Faugheen, who is entered in the RSA Insurance Novices' Chase on Wednesday, was kept in the field for the Marsh Novices' Chase. His possible rivals include Itchy Feet, Allaho and Mister Fisher.

The weights in the Pertemps Network Final have been raised 4lb after Ronald Pump was taken out of the race. Last season's winner Sire Du Berlais is the new topweight.

Topweight Hardline has been taken out of the Brown Advisory and Merriebelle Stable Plate Handicap Chase, meaning Snow Falcon heads the fields with all the runners raised 1lb.

Twenty-four remain in the Grade 2 Daylesford Mares' Novices' Hurdle, with 13 of those trained in Ireland. Mullins has won all four previous runnings of this race and has five in the race.

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