Defending champion Big Buck's heads 35 entries for the £260,000 Grade One Ladbrokes World Hurdle at Cheltenham on March 18th.

Paul Nicholls' charge defeated the Nicky Henderson-trained Punchestowns to win the 2009 renewal of the three-mile contest and has been in great form this season, winning the Grade Two Long Distance Hurdle from Lough Derg and the Grade One Long Walk Hurdle from Karabak, both at Newbury.

A 12-strong Irish entry features the Edward O'Grady-trained Torphichen and the same trainer's Grade One victor Jumbo Rio, as well as the Mouse Morris-trained 2006 totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup hero War Of Attrition

Willie Mullins has entered former Cheltenham bumper winner Cousin Vinny, who has failed to shine over fences so far this season.

Nick Williams has entered the much-vaunted Diamond Harry, who was third in the Long Walk Hurdle on December 29th, while the progressive Willie Amos-trained Lie Forrit also has an entry after impressing with handicap victories at Cheltenham and Newbury this season.

The Henry Daly-trained Mighty Man was runner-up to the great Inglis Drever in the 2007 Ladbrokes World Hurdle and filled that same berth behind Big Buck's in the Grade One John Smith's Liverpol Hurdle at Aintree last term, before winning a novice chase at Hereford in December.

Cape Tribulation has been entered by Malcolm Jefferson and the trainer is considering his options for the talented permormer, who has also holds an entry in the Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle two days earlier.

Other notable entries include 2008 Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle winner Katchit as well as the high-class but unpredictable Tidal Bay from the Howard Johnson yard, victorious in the Grade One Irish Independent Arkle two years ago.