Istabraq will face a maximum of 16 rivals in Tuesday's Smurfit Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham. Last year's record-equalling 12-length winner was among 17 horses declared for the race yesterday. His stable-companion Theatreworld, runner-up in the last two years, and Bellator (who unseated his rider at the last) are the only other acceptors to have run in the race 12 months ago.

Bellator is the only representative of Venetia Williams, who has withdrawn one-time leading fancies Happy Change and Stretarez.

Others taken out by the noon deadline were Dato Star, Juyush, Prince Of My Heart, Toto Toscato and last year's fourth Pridwell, while two of the acceptors, Le Coudray and Commance Court, are almost certain non-runners.

Smurfit Champion Hurdle acceptors: Bellator (Miss V Williams), Blowing Wind (M Pipe), City Hall (Mrs V Ward), Commanche Court (T M Walsh), Decoupage (C Egerton), French Holly (F Murphy), Grey Shot (I Balding), Istabraq (A P O'Brien), Le Coudray (A P O'Brien), Midnight Legend (D Nicholson), Mister Morose (N TwistonDavies), Nomadic (N Meade), Theatreworld (A P O'Brien), Tiutchev (D Nicholson), Upgrade (N Twiston-Davies), Zafarabad (D Nicholson), Lady Cricket (M Pipe).