Laurina absent as Samcro and Melon are declared for Ryanair Hurdle

The wait to see Laurina rolls on as last season's imperious Cheltenham Festival heroine did not feature among the declarations for Saturday's Grade 1 Ryanair Hurdle at Leopardstown, leaving Samcro to take on a field of six.

Gordon Elliott's Ballymore winner was beaten by Buveur D'Air in the Fighting Fifth last time and faces Champion Hurdle second Melon, who is making his seasonal reappearance.

Jessica Harrington's Supasundae makes his second start of the season having finished runner-up to Apple's Jade in the Hatton's Grace Hurdle earlier this month.

Interestingly, 2017 Champion Hurdle third Petit Mouchoir comes back from chasing having finished second, third, second and fourth in Grade 1 novices last season. WKD Hurdle winner Bedrock will be aiming to beat Samcro again, while Tombstone and Morgiana Hurdle winner Sharjah complete the field.

Seven also go to post for the Grade 1 Neville Hotels Novice Chase, with Delta Work the standout name having already scored at this level in the Drinmore on his last start.

The five-year-old son of Network got up by a nose to win the Pertemps at Cheltenham in March and has looked as if this step up in trip would suit when winning his first two races over fences over around 2m4f.

The gelding runs in the colours of Gigginstown House Stud, who saddle four other runners: Blow By Blow, Judgement Day, Mortal and Nick Lost. Jessica Harrington's Moonshine Bay and the Chris Jones-owned Ben Dundee complete the field.

An intriguing line-up has been assembled for the sole Grade 1 staged at Newbury over obstacles, with course-and-distance winner Champ heading the market for the Challow Novices' Hurdle.

For all the form of his last win is working out well, the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle favourite will have more on his plate this time around.

Cheltenham winner Coolanly represents last year's winning connections, Fergal O'Brien and Paddy Brennan, and he steps up in class along with Sandown scorer Alsa Mix, Tom Lacey's grey Kateson and stylish Huntingdon winner Brewin'upastorm.

The race has been won by the likes of Bindaree, Denman, Diamond Harry and Reve De Sivola in the past.

Read The Briefing from 8.30am daily on racingpost.com with all the day's latest going, weather, market moves and non-runner news