Pipe has nine in

Champion British trainer Martin Pipe is going all out to land a third win in the Smurfit Champion Hurdle, it was revealed yesterday.

He supplies no fewer than nine of the 41 entries for the Cheltenham race, which the trainer won with Granville Again in 1993 and Make A Stand two years ago.

They range from Gerry Feilden Hurdle winner Wahiba Sands and last year's Scottish Champion Hurdle victor Blowing Wind to the ex-Irish pair Golden Alpha and Toast The Spreece and former French-based trio Galant Moss, Gris d'Estruval and Lady Cricket.

Ex-French star Le Coudray is one of three entries trained by Aidan O'Brien, along with last year's first and second Istabraq and Theatreworld.

All the market leaders have been put in the March 16th event, including French Holly, Grey Shot and 1998 third I'm Supposin.

Smart Flat performers Happy Change, Stretarez and The Fly have been entered despite being yet to have a run over hurdles.

Andy Turnell has put in record purchase Gatflax, not seen out since finishing well beaten on his chasing debut at Wetherby.

Cheltenham Gold Cup hope Unsinkable Boxer has been given an entry in the Bonusprint Stayers' Hurdle as insurance by his trainer Martin Pipe.

The novice chaser, quoted as short as 10 to 1 for the Gold Cup by Ladbrokes, was among 51 entries for the long-distance event. He is among trainer Martin Pipe's eight entries for the £100,000 contest, which precedes the Gold Cup on the Thursday of the festival. Pipe's other entrants include 1996 winner Cyborgo and Deano's Beeno, whose recent Ascot conqueror Princeful - last year's winner - is also among the field even though he made his chasing debut at Doncaster yesterday.

Dermot Weld has entered his impressive Ladbroke Handicap winner, Archive Footage, while Ted Walsh could be represented by his 1997 Triumph Hurdle winner, Commanche Court. Le Coudray, Nick Dundee and Sallie's Girl make up the rest of the Irish-trained team.

The former champion Flat trainer John Dunlop could bid to land his first Cheltenham win with the novice, Shagreen.