LAST year's winner Doran's Pride will not be back to defend his crown in the Bonusprint Stayers' Hurdle at Cheltenham on March 14th.
The Michael Hourigan trained gelding, highly impressive in landing the prize last year, has been side lined by illness since early December and was not among the 51 entries for the race announced yesterday.
There is still a strong Irish trained team of 12, including Derrymoyle, Treble Bob, Minella Lad and Time For A Run.
Last year's second Cyborgo - unraced to date this term - third (Simpson) and fourth (Hebridean) have also been put in the £75,000 added race.
Last Saturday's Haydock winner Better Times Ahead faces a possible rematch with all bar one of his Haydock rivals, including runner up Putty Road who won the Sun Alliance Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham last term.
Avro Anson, demoted after he passed the post first in 1994, has been entered, along with Balasani who was awarded the extended three mile event at the stewards' inquiry.
France is represented by Or Jack and Algan, the latter successful in the King George VI Chase in 1994 but entered by Francois Doumen in this contest rather than the Gold Cup at this year's Festival.
Saturday's Bic Razor Lanzarote Handicap Hurdle winner Warm Spell has yesterday been well backed with the sponsors for Newbury's Tote Gold Trophy on February 10th and is now 4/1 and 6/1.
