Paul Nicholls looked to have a strong hand in the Queen Mother Champion Chase after entries were published today.
His trio in an initial field of 22 for the two-mile chasers' championship include last year's winner Call Equiname and fast-improving Flagship Uberalles, successful seven times from eight starts over fences to date.
Each of the first six home in 1999 are in the Cheltenham contest, though runner-up Edredon Blue and third-placed Direct Route could take up an alternative engagement in Japan.
Venetia Williams' three entries include The Outback Way, who has won three times at Cheltenham to date this season, and Nordance Prince who is favourite for Saturday's Victor Chandler Handicap Chase at Ascot.
Entries: Aghawadda Gold (trained by T Tate), Amberleigh House (M Hourigan, Ireland), American Hero (R Allan), Call Equiname (P Nicholls), Celibate (C Mann), Cumbrian Challenge (T Easterby), Decoupage (C Egerton), Direct Route (H Johnson), Dontleavethenest (R Curtis), Edredon Bleu (Miss H Knight), Flagship Uberalles (P Nicholls), Green Green Desert (P Nicholls), Hill Society (N Meade, Ireland), Lake Kariba (Miss V Williams), Majadou (M Pipe), Mandys Mantino (J Gifford), Nipper Reed (Miss K George), Nordance Prince (Miss V Williams), Potentate (M Pipe), Seek The Faith (M Sheppard), Space Trucker (Mrs J Harrington, Ireland), The Outback Way (Miss V Williams). (22).
