French Group One winner Fragrant Mix was the most surprising name among entries unveiled today for the Smurfit Champion Hurdle.
The six-year-old, trained by John Hammond, is among five horses engaged in the Cheltenham showpiece who have yet to race over hurdles.
He won the Group One Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud and finished a close sixth in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in 1998.
His best effort in a light campaign last year was fourth place in the Group Two Prix du Conseil de Paris at Longchamp.
Others put in the March 14 contest without any jumping experience are Anamore (trained by Charlie Mann), Anemos (Michael Jarvis), Dancing Kris (Ian Williams) and Ela-Aristokrati (Mark Tompkins).
A total of 33 horses have been out in the race, the smallest initial entry since 1995.
The entries are headed by dual winner Istabraq, currently quoted at odds-on to become the first to complete a hat-trick of victories since See You Then in 1987.
His Irish trainer Aidan O'Brien has also entered Theatreworld, who has finished second in each of the last three runnings.
Cheltenham managing director Edward Gillespie was happy with the entries.
He said: "It is particularly exciting to see some top-quality entries yet to jump a hurdle and Limestone Lad's defeat of Istabraq proves that the dual Smurfit Champion Hurdle winner is not invincible."
Smurfit Champion Hurdle: Entries: Alka International (trained by Mrs P Townsley), Anamore (C Mann), Anemos (M Jarvis), Ashley Park (M Pitman), Bacchanal (N Henderson), Balla Sola (W Mullins, Ireland), Blue Royal (N Henderson), Dancing Kris (I Williams), Dato Star (M Jefferson), Deep Water (M Hammond), Ela-Aristokrati (M Tompkins), Far Cry (M Pipe), Fragrant Mix (J Hammond, France), Happy Change (Miss V Williams), Hitman (M Pitman), Hors La Loi III (F Doumen, France), Istabraq (A O'Brien, Ireland), Katarino (N Henderson), Knife Edge (M O'Brien, Ireland), Lady Rebecca (Miss V Williams), Limestone Lad (J Bowe, Ireland), Make A Stand (M Pipe), Mister Morose (N Twiston-Davies), Mr Percy (J Gifford), Nomadic (N Meade, Ireland), Relkeel (A King), Rodock (M Pipe), San Suru (C Von Der Recke, Germany), Sharpical (N Henderson), Sir Talbot (J Old), Stage Affair (D Weld, Ireland), Theatreworld (A O'Brien, Ireland), Wahiba Sands (M Pipe). (33).
