Paisley Park (Emma Lavelle) was unbeaten in five starts during the 2018/19 campaign and started this season in the same vein with a comfortable success in the G2 Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury on 29 November.

The eight-year-old has the chance to become the fourth multiple winner of the Stayers' Hurdle this century, following Big Buck's (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012), Inglis Drever (2005, 2007, 2008) and Baracouda (2002, 2003).

Paisley Park is set to run next in the £60,000 G2 galliardhomes.com Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham on Festival Trials Day, 25 January, a race he won impressively in 2019. Ireland's 19 entries for the Stayers' Hurdle include the 2018 winner Penhill, who is one of seven contenders for Willie Mullins.

Other names to note for the Closutton handler are top class mares Benie des Dieux and Laurina, as well as the 2019 G1 Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle victor Klassical Dream. Compatriots City Island (Martin Brassil) and Minella Indo (Henry de Bromhead) were also G1-winning novices at The Festival in 2019, plundering the G1 Ballymore Novices' Hurdle and G1 Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle respectively.

Mouse Morris is a man to keep onside at The Festival and the Co Tipperary trainer is hoping stable star Sams Profile can stake his claim for Stayers' Hurdle honours later this month. Sams Profile mixed it with the best novices last season.

He finished fifth behind City Island at The Festival before narrowly failing to reel in Reserve Tank in the G1 Champion Novice Hurdle over two and a half miles at Punchestown in May.

Morris, who landed the Stayers' Hurdle 30 years ago with Trapper John, reported: "The Stayers' Hurdle is the aim with Sams Profile and his first run back will be in the Galmoy Hurdle [Gowran Park, 23 January]. "We were thinking about going chasing with him, but he had a slight setback so we decided to stay over hurdles for this season. "I would hope he could have a lively chance in the Stayers' Hurdle if he went there, but we will see how he goes in the Galmoy first."

Tom George has two in-form contenders in The Worlds End and Summerville Boy.

The Worlds End enjoyed G1 success in the Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot just before Christmas, while Summerville Boy, winner of the G1 Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle in 2018, returned to hurdling with a battling victory in the G2 Dornan Engineering Relkeel Hurdle at Cheltenham on New Year's Day.

Other high-profile entries include If The Cap Fits (Harry Fry), who relished the step up to three miles when landing the G1 Ryanair Stayers' Hurdle at Aintree last season, and fellow G1 scorer Champ (Nicky Henderson).

The 2019 heroine Roksana (Dan Skelton)features among 36 entries for the £120,000 G1 David Nicholson Mares' Hurdle on day one of The Festival, Tuesday, 10 March.

A formidable Irish challenge includes arguably the three most talented Jump mares in training - Apple's Jade (Gordon Elliott), the 2018 winner Benie des Dieux (Willie Mullins) and the unbeaten Honeysuckle (Henry de Bromhead).

All three enjoyed G1 glory against the geldings in 2019.

A dark horse among the entries could be Relegate, who is now with Colm Murphy, best known as the trainer of 2006 Champion Hurdle hero Brave Inca and 2010 Queen Mother Champion Chase victor Big Zeb.

Previously trained by Willie Mullins, Relegate captured the G1 Weatherbys Champion Bumper at The Festival in 2018 but failed to scale those heights during a light novice hurdle campaign last season, winning one of her three starts.

The seven-year-old's latest appearance came in a G1 novice hurdle at Leopardstown in February, when she was a fast-finishing fifth behind Commander Of Fleet.

Murphy, who returned to the training ranks in May last year, said: "Relegate is coming along nicely now. We have had a few stops and starts, which meant she wasn't out over Christmas, but we have had a clear run for the last month or so. "All being well, she will start off at the Dublin Racing Festival in a handicap hurdle. She is rated 130 and that looks quite an attractive mark given what she was up to in bumpers. "We have put a lot of work into her jumping, as it was letting her down during her novice season. It will have to improve, but we hope that it will. "She will have plenty of options at Cheltenham and I suppose we will be guided by how she gets on at the Dublin Racing Festival."

Nicky Henderson relies on Verdana Blue, the winner of last season's G1 Christmas Hurdle and G2 Scottish Champion Hurdle, as he chases a first win in the race. Prolific mare Lady Buttons (Phil Kirby), fourth behind Roksana in 2019, and highly regarded novices Silver Forever (Paul Nicholls) and The Glancing Queen (Alan King) are also engaged.

Cheltenham Racecourse

Cheltenham Racecourse is situated in Prestbury on the northern outskirts of the historic spa town of Cheltenham. The Home of Jump Racing, Cheltenham Racecourse is the venue for the world's pre-eminent Jump meeting. The Festival™ presented by Magners, which happens in March over four days every year, next takes place from Tuesday, 10 March, to Friday, 13 March, 2020 inclusive and tickets are on sale. Set against the beautiful backdrop of the Cotswolds, Cheltenham Racecourse is a stunning natural arena and offers the highest-quality action throughout the Jump season.

More information is available at www.cheltenham.co.uk and through: Twitter @CheltenhamRaces Facebook www.facebook.com/thehomeofjumpracing Instagram @cheltenhamraces

About The Jockey Club

Cheltenham is part of The Jockey Club which stages thrilling sporting occasions including The Randox Health Grand National, The Festival™ presented by Magners and The Investec Derby. Millions of people every year enjoy the special experiences The Jockey Club offers through racing, music, food and entertainment. Governed by Royal Charter, every penny made goes back into British Racing to help the sport thrive. The Jockey Club was founded in 1750 and today is the largest commercial group in Britain's second-biggest spectator sport, operating 15 racecourses nationwide, The National Stud, Jockey Club Estates, Jockey Club Catering, Jockey Club Live and the charity, Racing Welfare. For more information, visit www.thejockeyclub.co.uk

The Stayers' Hurdle Grade 1, £325,000 Total Prize Fund. 3.30pm, Thursday, March 12, three miles (2m 7f 213yds). For four-year-olds and upwards who are allotted a rating of 130 or more by the BHA Head of Handicapping following a review of the horses entered and after taking account of races run up to and including the day prior to confirmation - horses who are not qualified for a rating in GB, IRE or FR may also be entered (such horses may be eligible providing the Handicapper is satisfied that the horse's racecourse performances up to and including the day prior to confirmation would merit a minimum rating of 130 - the decision of the BHA Head of Handicapping shall be final). Weights: 4yo: 11st; 5yo+: 11st 10lb; fillies & mares allowed 7lb. Entries closed January 14 (40 entries). Scratchings deadline February 11, £16,250 supplementary entry stage & six-day confirmation stage March 6, final declarations 10am, March 10.

Maximum 24 runners.

Horse                  Age Owner                              Trainer

Apple's Jade (FR)         8        Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott IRE

Ask Dillon (IRE)           7          4 The Fun Partnership Fergal O'Brien

Bacardys (FR)              9          Shanakiel Racing Syndicate Willie Mullins IRE

Benie des Dieux (FR) 9           Susannah Ricci                      Willie Mullins IRE

Bright Forecast (IRE) 6           The Aldaniti Partnership       Ben Pauling

Champ (IRE)               8           J P McManus                          Nicky Henderson

City Island (IRE)         7           Sean & Bernardine Mulryan Martin Brassil

Court Maid (IRE)       7            Rory F Larkin                          Tom Mullins IRE

Death Duty (IRE)       9           Gigginstown House Stud      Gordon Elliott IRE

Donna's Diamond (IRE) 11   D&D Armstrong Ltd                Chris Grant

Emitom (IRE)              6           The Spero Partnership Ltd      Warren Greatrex

Footpad (FR)             8           Simon Munir/Isaac Souede     Willie Mullins IRE

Goodbye Dancer (FR) 9         Noel Fehily Racing Syndicate 01 Fergal O'Brien

If The Cap Fits (IRE)     8         Paul & Clare Rooney                   Harry Fry

Kilbricken Storm (IRE) 9         A Selway & P Wavish                   Colin Tizzard

Killultagh Vic (IRE)     11       Rose Boyd/Mrs M Armstrong/J Anderson Willie Mullins IRE

Klassical Dream (FR)    6       Mrs J Coleman                                      Willie Mullins IRE

L'Ami Serge (IRE)         10      Simon Munir & Isaac Souede             Nicky Henderson

Laurina (FR)                  7       Sullivan Bloodstock Limited               Willie Mullins IRE Lisnagar Oscar (IRE)     7       Racing for Fun                                     Rebecca Curtis

Messire des Obeaux (FR) 8   Simon Munir & Isaac Souede             Alan King

Minella Indo (IRE)          7       Barry Maloney                                   Henry de Bromhead IRE

Not Many Left (IRE)        7       Robcour                                          Jessica Harrington IRE Paisley Park (IRE)            8        Andrew Gemmell                           Emma Lavelle

Papagana                      7          D J Burke                                      Oliver Sherwood

Penhill                          9           Anthony Bloom                            Willie Mullins IRE

Portrush Ted (IRE)       8            McNeill Family                             Warren Greatrex

Relegate (IRE)              7           Paul McKeon                             Colm Murphy IRE

Ronald Pump              7           Laois Limerick Syndicate             Matthew Smith IRE

Samcro (IRE)                8            Gigginstown House Stud         Gordon Elliott IRE

Sams Profile                6            Michael O'Flynn/John F O'Flynn Mouse Morris IRE

Summerville Boy (IRE) 8            Roger Brookhouse                       Tom George

Surin (FR)                     5            Gigginstown House Stud           Gordon Elliott IRE

The Jam Man (IRE)       7            Ronan McNally                             Ronan McNally IRE

The Mighty Don (IRE) 8             Golden Rose Partnership            Nick Gifford

The Worlds End (IRE) 9             McNeill Family                               Tom George

Tobefair                     10             Down The Quay Club                  Debra Hamer

Top Notch (FR)          9               Simon Munir & Isaac Souede      Nicky Henderson

West Approach        10             John and Heather Snook             Colin Tizzard

William Henry (IRE)  10              Walters Plant Hire Ltd                   Nicky Henderson

40 entries 19 Irish-trained The David Nicholson Mares' Hurdle Grade 1, £120,000 Total Prize Fund. 4.10pm, Tuesday, March 10, two and a half miles (2m 3f 200y).

For four-year-olds and upwards, fillies and mares. Weights: 4yo: 10st 10lb; 5yo+: 11st 5lb. Entries closed January 14 (36 entries).

Scratchings deadline February 11, £6,000 supplementary entry stage & six-day confirmation stage March 4, final declarations 10am, March 8. Maximum number of runners 24.

Horse                        Age       Owner                          Trainer

Apple's Jade (FR)       8        Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott IRE

Benie des Dieux (FR)  9         Susannah Ricci                   Willie Mullins IRE

Black Sam Bella           8       June Watts                         Dan Skelton

Black Tears                  6        Mrs C Walsh/J Lightfoot  Gordon Elliott IRE

Buildmeupbuttercup  6       J Turner                              Willie Mullins IRE

Cap Soleil (FR)             7      Mrs S A Noott                     Fergal O'Brien

Cardigan Bay (FR)        7       Birch, Djivanovic & Doel   Charlie Longsdon

Copper Gone West (IRE) 7    Mrs LBowtell & PBowtell Tim Vaughan 

Court Maid (IRE)             7      Rory F Larkin                     Tom Mullins IRE

Crossgalesfamegame (IRE) 6 Walid Marzouk & Richard Rowland Fergal O'Brien

Desaray Girl (FR)                 5   Resdev                                                Philip Kirby

Eglantine du Seuil (FR)      6  Sullivan Bloodstock Limited              Willie Mullins IRE

Elfile (FR)                             6  K Alexander                                          Willie Mullins IRE

Elimay (FR)                          6  J P McManus                                        Willie Mullins IRE     

Good Thyne Tara              10 Nigel King                                             Willie Mullins IRE

Great White Shark (FR)       6 Malcolm C Denmark                            Willie Mullins IRE

Hawthorn Cottage (IRE)      7 Melbourne 10 Racing                        Amy Murphy

Honeysuckle                        6 K Alexander                                          Henry de Bromhead IRE

Indefatigable (IRE)               7 Philip Rocher & John B O'Connor    Paul Webber

Lady Buttons                      10 Jayne Sivills                                          Philip Kirby

Laurina (FR)                         7 Sullivan Bloodstock Limited                Willie Mullins IRE

Legends Gold (IRE)            6 Lockett, Hyde, Mountford, Bishop & Outhart Rebecca Curtis

Magic of Light (IRE)          9 Ann & Alan Potts Limited                     Jessica Harrington IRE

My Sister Sarah (IRE)        6 Barnane Stud                                         Willie Mullins IRE

Papagana                          7 D J Burke                                               Oliver Sherwood

Popong (IRE)                    6 Mrs D Halley                                          Henry de Bromhead IRE

Presidente Line (FR)         6 Haras de Montaigu/Couetil Elevage    Alain Couetil FR

Relegate (IRE)                  7 Paul McKeon                                           Colm Murphy IRE

Roksana (IRE)                  8 Sarah Faulks                                             Dan Skelton

Sensulano (IRE)               7 Allison, Allison, Williams                         Noel Williams

Silver Forever (IRE)          6 Colm Donlon                                             Paul Nicholls

Snow Leopardess           8 Mrs O Fox-Pitt                                          Charlie Longsdon

Stormy Ireland (FR)         6 Sullivan Bloodstock Limited                    Willie Mullins IRE

Surin (FR)                        5 Gigginstown House Stud                         Gordon Elliott IRE

The Glancing Queen (IRE) 6 Dingwall, Farrell, Hornsey & Murray   Alan King

Verdana Blue (IRE)         8 Doreen Tabor                                             Nicky Henderson

36 entries 18 Irish-trained 1 French-trained