Five key talking points from Cheltenham's novice chase entries

Entries for the Racing Post Arkle, RSA Insurance Novices' Chase, Marsh Novices' Chase and National Hunt Chase at March's Cheltenham Festival were released on Thursday and we take a look at five talking points.

RSA sole chase option for Champ

A Stayers' Hurdle entry might have forced a slight rethink for fans of Champ and ante-post players, but the RSA is the only novice chase he will contest if he remains over fences.

He has not tackled three miles this season, but that was always the plan until the festival and he is regarded as a thorough stayer whom Nicky Henderson regrets not running in the Albert Bartlett last season.

A faller in the Dipper at Cheltenham this month, he could use Ascot's Reynoldstown or even the Denman Chase at Newbury – – to get back on track.

Faugheen: twice a winner at the Cheltenham FestivalCredit: Getty Images

Festival favourite Faugheen back for more

The Cheltenham Festival is no stranger to magic moments and surely another will come if Faugheen returns to the winner's enclosure in March.

Seemingly as popular as ever, he might not be the monster he once was, has age stats to defy and has lost some of the zip that helped him win the Neptune in 2014 before landing the Champion Hurdle a year later.

However, the 12-year-old has shown plenty of spark in two starts over fences this season, suggesting there may be enough left in the tank for another fairytale festival chapter. The Marsh Novices' Chase and RSA seem more likely than the National Hunt Chase, for which he is not yet qualified.

Samcro has chance to rise again

Owner Michael O'Leary once said Samcro was not the next coming of Jesus Christ, which appears accurate now his star has dimmed since he landed the 2018 Ballymore.

The world appeared at his hooves then, but he failed to fire as a senior hurdler and chasing has not proved straightforward despite an impressive win at Down Royal first time out this season.

Samcro then fell at Fairyhouse, although he was not beaten at the time, but he was no match for Faugheen in Limerick's Christmas Grade 1.

It will be interesting how many keep faith with his resurrection, be it in the Arkle, Marsh or RSA.

JP McManus: owner loves the National Hunt ChaseCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Seventh heaven for McManus?

Six winners in the National Hunt Chase mean no owner has won the amateur event more times than JP McManus, responsible for four entries on Thursday.

They need to qualify by finishing in the first four in a chase over 2m7½f or further, but that should not be beyond the Limerick tactician and his team.

Tower Bridge, fifth in the Albert Bartlett in 2018 and second in the Close Brothers 12 months ago, and 2018 Pertemps runner-up Glenloe have solid festival form, while Speak Easy could relish the trip being out of Presenting mare For Bill, a 2m6f heavy-ground winner. School Boy Hours completes the McManus squad.

National treasure

The one thing the festival – and racing – does not need is a repeat of , which was unpleasant to watch.

It will now be run over 3m6f (from 3m7½f) and standards for horses and jockeys have been raised. It is hard to know if that has contributed to the 61 entries, down on 68 this time last year and below the 74.5 average from 2010 to 2019.

However, only 58 horses were entered in 2015 and 61 is more in keeping with the ten-year average from 2001 of 64.4, although it must be remembered the race has helped produce Grand National heroes Hedgehunter, Silver Birch and Tiger Roll, as well as Gold Cup winner Native River.

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