THE weights were published yesterday day for the seven handicaps at Cheltenham Festival with a total number of 485 horses being assessed. Largest entry is 101 for the Coral Cup, with David Nicholson's Castle Sweep heading the weights on 12st, 3lb above Mouse Morris's Martell Grand National entry New Co.
The sponsors make Malcolm Jefferson's improving six year old Tullymurry Toff 10st 13lb their favourite on 10 to 1, one point shorter than the John Mulhern trained Miltonfield (10st-6lb).
Star Rage, who will bid for historic back to back wins in the Vincent O'Brien County Handicap Hurdle, has been given 11st 1lb in this year's renewal. Jimmy Harris' tough hurdler will renew rivalry at Prestbury Park with Shining Edge on 2lb better terms than when they last met at Doncaster on Saturday when Easterby's charge came out on top by one and a quarter lengths.
The Mulhern trained Flashing Steel is at the top of the Kim Muir weights with 12st 2lb, 3lb above Tim Forster's Maamur, successful in the Ritz Club National Hunt Chase at last year's Festival.
Forster's grey has been given 11st 10lb to follow up last year's win in the race now known as the Astec Buzz Shop National Hunt Chase. Joint top weights on 12st are the injured Trying Again and last Saturday's impressive Greenalls Grand National Trial winner Suny Bay.
Mudahim (10st 8lb) and King, Lucifer (10st 11lb), first and second in last weekend's Racing Post Chase, also number among the 64 entries for the £40,000 added event.
Aidan O'Brien is responsible for the top weight, Royal Mountbrowne, in the Mildmay of Flete Challenge Cup. The nine year old on 12st heads the 62 entries, 46 of which figure in the handicap proper.
Pridwell, third in last year's Champion Hurdle, on top weight of 12st is one of 15 Martin Pipe entries n the Hamlet Extra Mild Cigars Gold Card Handicap Hurdle (Final).
. Tomorrow's meeting at Plumpton survived a 3.30pm inspection yesterday after drying winds came to the track's rescue. Monday's fixture on the course was abandoned and the course was still waterlogged yesterday. But assistant clerk of the course Paul Deacon explained: "Racing on Friday is still on. The course has improved dramatically with a strong drying wind.
