Racing: Newmill tops a list of 30 entries for the Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. John Joseph Murphy's charge ran out a nine-length winner of the two-mile feature last year before following up at the Punchestown Festival a month later.
He is bidding to become the ninth horse to secure back-to-back victories in the Grade One contest and the first since the David Nicholson-trained Viking Flagship triumphed in both 1994 and 1995.
Gold Cup favourite Kauto Star has been given an entry by trainer Paul Nicholls but connections have stated that the Champion Chase will only be an option if conditions are testing.
The first three home in last season's Arkle Challenge Trophy, Voy Por Ustedes, Monet's Garden and Foreman, have all been entered for the March 14 contest.
As well as Newmill, the Irish contingent is supplemented by Nickname, Central House, Justified and Gold Cup entry In Compliance.
Paul Nolan has three entries, Grade One-winning novice Accordion Etoile, 2004 Galway Hurdle winner Cloone River and Say Again.
Former Arkle winner Contraband could take his chance for new handler Steve Gollings while Sporazene, Briareus and Ashley Brook are other eyecatching entries.