Faugheen and Monalee figure among Stayers' Hurdle entries

Willie Mullins has given Faugheen a second engagement at the Cheltenham Festival after entering the 2015 Unibet Champion Hurdle hero in the Sun Bets Stayers' Hurdle.

Although Faugheen has missed the last two festivals, he was also entered in the Stayers' 12 months ago before being ruled out of the meeting.

A total of 38 horses have been entered in the long-distance championship, with another eyeactching nominee being RSA Chase joint-favourite Monalee, who crashed out of a novice chase at Leopardstown's Christmas fixture.

Monalee was a faller over fences at LeopardstownCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Trainer Henry de Bromhead, who described Monalee's fall as "horrific", could give the horse an opportunity to resume winning ways next month at Leopardstown, where Faugheen – a winner over three miles over hurdles as a novice – is under consideration for the BHP Insurance Irish Champion Hurdle.

Bet365 and Betfred, who go no-runner-no-bet on the Stayers', are taking no chances, with Faugheen quoted at 5-1 with the concession and Monalee on offer at 16-1 and 14-1 respectively.

As expected, star novice chasers Yanworth and Willoughby Court feature among the entries, while Finian's Oscar is reported on course for the race after his chasing career was suspended.

Favourite Sam Spinner heads the entries but towards the other end of the betting is Aintree regular The Last Samuri.

Trainer Kim Bailey said: "He runs next in the Cotswold Chase and that should resolve the question of where he has his final outing before the National. I'd say the Doncaster race we've used in the past is unlikely this time as he'd again have to concede weight all round.

"The Stayers' would be a possibility. He ran very well over hurdles at Kempton earlier in the season and entering him gives us another option."

The Thursday of this year's festival will be known as Ryanair Chase day, with that race's £350,000 purse being more than the Stayers' £325,000 pot due to greater sponsor investment.

Thirty-three have been entered for the Grade 1 OLBG Mares' Hurdle, including Apple's Jade, Vroum Vroum Mag and Let's Dance.

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