IRISH interest in tomorrow’s Paddy Power Gold Cup is led by the JP McManus-owned duo of Finger Onthe Pulse, trained by Tom Taaffe and Dancing Tornado, trained by Michael Hourigan.

Long Run will face 19 rivals as he bids to get his season off to a winning start in Saturday’s Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham.

WHAT could prove a significant piece in Tony McCoy’s John Smith’s Grand National jigsaw emerged at Cheltenham yesterday as the champion jockey piloted Can’t Buy Time to success in the victorchandler.com Handicap Chase.

Tony McCoy will have to wait another day to reach 3,000 winners after being beaten into second place on the first of his two rides at Sandown.