Dual Cheltenham Festival hero Bob Olinger heads a field of four runners declared for the Dornan Engineering Relkeel Hurdle on New Year’s Day.

Henry de Bromhead’s charge was brilliant when winning the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle in 2021, and profited from the final fence exit of Galopin Des Champs when landing the Turners Novices’ Chase 12 months later.

The eight-year-old’s form has been in and out since, but he proved at least some of his considerable ability remains intact when making a successful start to the current campaign in the Lismullen Hurdle at Navan and he returns to Prestbury Park in a bid for back-to-back Grade Two victories.

Last year’s Relkeel heroine Marie’s Rock defends her crown for Nicky Henderson and Middleham Park Racing, having disappointed on her comeback in the Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury.

The line-up is completed by Olly Murphy’s pair of Brewin’upastorm and Strong Leader, ridden by Brian Hughes and Gavin Sheehan respectively.

Brewin’upastorm chased home West Balboa on his seasonal debut in a conditions hurdle at Aintree, while Strong Leader pushed Blueking D’Oroux close in the Grade Two Coral Hurdle at Ascot last month.

“Brewin’upastorm has been an absolute star for the yard. He is not getting any younger, but he is still in good form,” said Murphy.

“He needed his first run of the season, like he does every season. There is not much around for him apart from this race. He retains plenty of ability and I’m looking forward to running him.

“Strong Leader had a good run at Ascot and I think the outer track at Cheltenham will suit him. He seems in good form and he is still relatively unexposed. I’m hoping that he has a good each-way chance.

“He was still quite green at Ascot and there is a small chance I might fit him with a set of cheekpieces. He still has plenty left in the tank.”

The main attraction on the undercard is Stage Star, who concedes over a stone in weight to five rivals in the Paddy Power New Year’s Day Handicap Chase.

Winner of the Turners Novices’ Chase at the Festival last season, the Paul Nicholls-trained eight-year-old landed a third win at Cheltenham when taking top honours in last month’s Paddy Power Gold Cup.

Stage Star faces five opponents on his return to the Cotswolds including Donald McCain’s Richmond Lake, winner of his last four races, and Ben Pauling’s Shakem Up’Arry.

Bob Olinger could be seen at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day, with the Dornan Engineering Relkeel Hurdle one of two possible festive options for the dual-Festival hero.

Henry de Bromhead’s eight-year-old includes Prestbury Park victories in the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle and Turners Novices’ Chase among his eight career triumphs but endured a winless campaign when switched back to hurdles last term.

However, to the delight of his handler, he rediscovered his best form on last month’s seasonal reappearance, travelling with his usual zest in the hands of regular pilot Rachael Blackmore before picking up well to see off the match-fit Zanahiyr at Navan.

Bob Olinger now has the option of dropping back to two miles for the Matheson Hurdle at Leopardstown during the Dublin track’s Christmas Festival, but is also poised to receive an entry for a New Year’s raiding mission, with Cheltenham’s Group Two contest currently at the forefront of De Bromhead’s mind.

“He’s in good form and we’ve been very happy since, it was brilliant to get him back,” said De Bromhead.

“We’re aiming towards Christmas time and he’s in at Leopardstown over two miles, but he will also have an entry in the Relkeel Hurdle at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day.

“I would be happy (dropping back to two miles), he has a lot of pace, loads of pace, he’s never lacked in that.

“I’m not saying we will, they are our options and I’m probably leaning towards the race at Cheltenham, but we will see how it all pans out.”

Springwell Bay could take a shot at the Dornan Engineering Relkeel Hurdle at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day following his taking victory at the track last month.

Jonjo O’Neill’s six-year-old was a progressive performer over timber last term, winning on three occasions before finishing his campaign in Grade One company at Aintree.

He made his first outing in the handicap ranks on his return to action at the November Meeting, but having obliged favourite backers with a good deal up his sleeve, could be set for an immediate return to a higher calibre of contest.

“He might go to the Relkeel,” said O’Neill.

“He’s in good form at home and ran a nice race there at Cheltenham last time, so hopefully he can improve on that.

“He has had plenty of problems, so you are always just biting your lip a little bit with him. But he has the ability if everything goes according to plan for him, so fingers crossed.”

The Jackdaws Castle handler has always held the Gay Smith-owned gelding in high regard and believes the Prestbury Park Grade Two would give a good indication as to Springwell Bay’s credentials in deeper waters.

When asked about him developing into a Graded-level operator, O’Neill added: “That’s what you would hope for and the Relkeel would probably tell you a lot, so that would be one of his options, anyway.”