CUE Card is on course for a bid to regain his crown in the Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival after featuring among 39 entries for the £300,000 contest.

Colin Tizzard’s charge was a brilliant winner of the Grade One contest in 2013, but missed last season’s Festival through injury.

The nine-year-old has been slightly disappointing since returning to action, finishing down the field in the Haldon Gold Cup, the Betfair Chase, and the King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day, and he is set to come back in trip.

The Milborne Port handler said: “The Ryanair Chase is the target for Cue Card.

“It looks as though in the very top grade that he does not stay (three miles), so that’s why we are coming back in trip.

“He picked up quite a nasty cut in the King George and had to have stitches. He had to have a few quiet days but we have just started riding him back now.

“He will not run before Cheltenham and we have got two and a half months to get him ready.”

The Dorset trainer has also entered Third Intention, who was fifth in last year’s Festival Plate.

“We entered Third Intention just in case he went and hosed up somewhere,” said Tizzard.

“I don’t know where he will he go next but we thought it was worth making an entry as you never know.”

Last year’s Ryanair hero Dynaste, trained by David Pipe, is in the mix once again, having finished runner-up in the King George last month.

Willie Mullins has six entries, more than any other trainer, with Champagne Fever in the Ryanair as well as the Champion Chase and the Gold Cup.

Ballycasey, Boston Bob, Djaka-dam, Turban and Twinlight are also in contention for Ireland’s champion trainer.

The Mouse Morris-trained First Lieutenant is another Irish contender, having chased Cue Card home in 2013.

Nicky Henderson has five possible runners in Rajdhani Ex-press, Captain Conan, Finian’s Rainbow, Hunt Ball and Ma Filleule.

Philip Hobbs, who has enjoyed a tremendous season, could run Menorah, winner of the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby, and Wishfull Thinking, successful in the Peterborough Chase at Huntingdon.