Nicholls trio head Gold Cup field
Last year’s first six are all entered again with the Paul Nicholls-trained trio of Denman, Kauto Star and Neptune Collonges at the head of the betting after filling the top three places last year.
Nicholls illustrates his strength in depth by also entering Big Buck’s, My Will, Nozic, Gungadu and Star De Mohaison.
Following home the Nicholls team last year was Halcon Genelardais, recent Lexus Chase winner Exotic Dancer and Nigel Twiston-Davies’ Knowhere and all are entered again.
War Of Attrition, winner of the race in 2006, spearheads Ireland’s challenge with Tom Taaffe’s trio of Cane Break, Slim Pickings and Finger Onthe Pulse also entered along with Welsh National winner Notre Pere.
Twiston-Davies has Paddy Power Gold Cup winner Imperial Commander while the runner-up from that race, Barbers Shop, could represent the Queen
Last year’s respective Arkle and SunAlliance Chase winners Tidal Bay and Albertas Run could also take their chances.
Kauto Star took the race in 2007 and owner Clive Smith is confident a change of tactics can see the nine-year-old reclaim his crown.
After winning his third King George VI Chase on Boxing Day, he will now head to Cheltenham without the aid of another run.
“I was ecstatic about his victory at Kempton and it was a brilliant performance,” said Smith.
“Paul (Nicholls) has said that Kauto Star wasn’t quite right in the Betfair Chase and that he probably just had an off day there.
“That race might have come a bit soon after Down Royal and he might not have enjoyed the dead ground, but he certainly came back to form on his latest start.
“Paul and I decided that he will now go straight to the Festival.
“He rattled up six victories when he took the Gold Cup in 2007 but he’s got a few more miles on the clock now and he possibly likes to put in a performance a bit less frequently these days.
“We have to make sure that he is spot on for Cheltenham and keeping him fresh for March seems the best way forward.
“We could have run him in the Grade One Chase at Ascot in mid-February like last year, but that would only leave a four-week gap.
“He also had a foot problem between Ascot and Cheltenham last season and we just want to make sure that if there are any problems between now and the Festival, we give him every chance of lining up in the Gold Cup.”
