Four-mile specialist Elliott seeking another favourable verdict from Jury Duty

National Hunt Challenge Cup Amateur Riders' Novices' Chase | 4m | Grade 2 | 5yo+ | RUK

The Irish seek to maintain a domination of the Cheltenham Festival's longest race having claimed the trophy in four of the last seven years, with three of the victories coming courtesy of horses trained by Gordon Elliott – with two in the last three years.

Elliott is back in strength again, responsible for the first two horses in the betting in Jury Duty and Mossback. They are due to be ridden by amateur jockeys who have both won the race before for the trainer – Jamie Codd and Lisa O'Neill.

Father-and-son act

Willie Mullins twice rode the winner for father Paddy in the 1980s and Willie's son Patrick bids to emulate him aboard Rathvinden.

Father and son combined to land the four-miler with Back In Focus five years ago and Rathvinden is a strong candidate here, provided he can avoid the mishaps that have blighted his last two starts in which he has unseated and been brought down.

Ladies first

No mare has won the race this century, Loving Around being the last to do it in 1996, but Ms Parfois adds a touch of quality.

She landed a handicap chase at Cheltenham in December but has flourished since moving up to three miles, winning at Newbury and Warwick before finishing second to Black Corton in the Reynoldstown Chase at Ascot.

What they say

Alex Hales, trainer of Duel At Dawn
My last runner there was Superior Wisdom, who was fifth in the Coral Cup in 2008. This one could get in the first five as he’s done nothing wrong all season and I think he’ll improve for four miles.

Neil Mulholland, trainer of Impulsive Star
He’s had a couple of nice placed efforts. He seems very well and fingers crossed he can make his presence felt.

Gordon Elliott, trainer of Jury Duty and Mossback
Jury Duty would prefer less testing ground, but he’s in very good form and has a top man [Jamie Codd] on his back. Mossback will love the ground. He jumps and gallops and should give Lisa [O’Neill], who won on Tiger Roll a year ago, a good spin.

Warren Greatrex, trainer of Keeper Hill
Adrian [Heskin] said the way he went through the race at Musselburgh was the best he’d felt and it was frustrating what happened [he fell]. He’s done loads of schooling since and I’m pretty sure he’ll stay. The biggest issue is that I’ve always felt he’d be better on better ground. It’s competitive but it could’ve been a lot stronger and he’s a Grade 2 winner. He’s a work in progress who will hopefully step up again.

Philip Hobbs, trainer of No Comment
He’s one of our better chances but it’s a little bit of an unknown going four miles in soft ground. The ground shouldn’t be a concern because he’s run well on it before. It’s a big step up on only his second run of the season.

Nicky Henderson, trainer of Reigning Supreme
He jumps and travels and they’re not going to go very quick, so that will suit him.

Joe Tizzard, assistant to Colin Tizzard, trainer of Sizing Tennessee
He’s got to get the trip on the ground, which is a slight concern. But he acts well around Cheltenham and he’s a good horse on his day. He’s looked a stayer around there.

Anthony Honeyball, trainer of Ms Parfois
We’re sure she’ll stay the trip well, she handles the ground and she’s a very sound jumper as a novice. Every box is ticked and she gets a mares’ allowance as well. We couldn’t have her in a better race and the conditions are good for her. If she can hold the form she’s shown all season she’ll have a good chance.

Members can read the latest exclusive interviews, news analysis and comment available from 6pm daily on racingpost.com