Irish point-to-point graduates feature heavily in the Grade 2 National Hunt Challenge Cup Amateur Riders' Novices' Chase with ten out of the 18 entries starting their careers between the flags.
Leading the way for the former pointers is Ballyward. Trained by Willie Mullins, the son of Flemensfirth has enjoyed a good preparation for Cheltenham winning last time out in the Grade 3 Novice Chase at Naas in January.
Ballyward was second on his point-to-point debut at Tyrella back in March 2016 for handler Colin McKeever.
Another ex-Irish pointer Jerrysback also holds an entry here. The seven-year-old was second on his last start in the Grade 2 novices chase at Haydock in January for Philip Hobbs.
The son of Jeremy also came from Colin McKeever's yard having won the four-year-old maiden race at Loughanmore back in October 2016.
Impulsive Star is another ex-pointer with a chance here. The nine-year-old gelding was a comfortable winner of the Grade 3 handicap chase at Warwick in January for trainer Neil Mulholland. The son of Busy Flight won on his pointing debut for Sean O'Brien and Richie Harding.
The former Irish pointer Gun Digger is another in the line-up. The Gigginstown House Stud owned gelding has been placed in each of his four chase starts to date, including a win in the beginners chase at Leopardstown over Christmas for trainer by Gordon Elliott.
Gun Digger was second in the four-year-old maiden at Largy back in April 2016 for Pat Doyle.
Whisperinthebreeze who finished behind Gun Digger at Leopardstown over Christmas is another to hold an entry here. The six-year-old then went on to win the Grade A handicap chase at the Dublin Racing Festival last month for trainer Jessica Harrington.
The Kayf Tara gelding won his four-year-old debut at Tinahely back in October 2017 for Timmy Hyde.
