Martin ponders Jewson bid

Tony Martin has handed his new recruit Siberion an entry in next month's

Jewson Novices' Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

Boasting useful form from Group-class events in Italy and Germany, Christian

Von Der Recke sent the six-year-old across Europe to Plumpton twice at the end

of last year.

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He fell on the first occasion, but decisively outpointed Afrad on his latest

effort in mid-December.

Siberion is one of 109 entries, of which a record 34 are Irish trained, for

the third renewal of the two-mile-five-furlong race.

"We've had him about three weeks," said County Meath-based Martin. "He was

bought by his owner Paul Ennis, who is a local man that has had a horse with me

before.

"We gave him an entry, but whether we run him at Cheltenham, I don't know. He

seems a nice horse, but it's early days - we'll probably decide in another week

or so."

The Irish contingent is headed by the Dessie Hughes-trained Schindlers Hunt,

successful in the Baileys Arkle Perpetual Challenge Cup Novice Chase at

Leopardstown in January.

Paul Nicholls leads a strong home defence with seven entries including his

likeable Sandown winner New Little Bric.

Philip Hobbs' quartet is headed by Grade Two winner Boychuk, while Jonjo

O'Neill has entered Paddy Power Gold Cup fourth Butler's Cabin.