Final Demand has been given the green light to take on Dan Skelton’s The New Lion in the Turners Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival on Wednesday.

Willie Mullins' charge had been well-backed to contest the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle later in the week, but connections have ultimately opted to stick to their original plan, and he now looks set for a mouthwatering clash with the Dan Skelton-trained The New Lion.

Final Demand confirmed himself a horse with major potential when making it three from three over hurdles in Grade 1 company at the Dublin Racing Festival and he's a general 15/8 chance to get the better of The New Lion, who was acquired by top owner JP McManus after his facile victory in the Grade 1 Challow Novices' Hurdle at Newbury over Christmas.

Mullins, who has won the race seven times and on the last three occasions, is also responsible for running Kiss Will, Kaid D'authie, Kel Histoire Kappa Jy Pyke and Supersundae.

Gordon Elliott's The Yellow Clay will be hopeful of upsetting the big two in the market and stretch his unbeaten record to five over hurdles following his impressive eight-length success in the two and a half mile Lawlor's Of Naas Novice Hurdle in January.

Nigel Twiston-Davies' leading contender Potters Charm adds further depth to Wednesday opener, while his last time out conqueror Sixmilebridge, who actually looks set to lose the Grade 2 trial after subsequently failing a drugs test, also featured among the eleven declarations having been confirmed eligible to run by his trainer last week. The former will be fitted with a first-time tongue-tie as he attempts to bounce back to the form of his Grade 1 triumph in the Formby Novices' Hurdle at Aintree on Boxing Day.

Elsewhere on the card, the Willie Mullins team also hold a strong hand in the Weathebys Champions Bumper, which has seen eighteen horses declared. Mullins is responsible for five of the eighteen declarations, with Copacabana, Gameofinches, Sortudo, Aqua Force and Bambino Fever.

Dan Skelton's ante-post favourite Be Aware heads a full field in the Coral Cup, with the Gordon Elliott-trained Maxxum set to carry top weight.

There is also a full field for the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase. Ante post favourite Stumptown will sport first-time cheekpieces for trainer Gavin Cromwell and will be joined by stablemate Vanillier. Galvin and Mister Coffey were also both declared.