Pipe leaves eight in Betfred Gold Cup field

Martin Pipe is going all out to keep the trainers’ title having left eight horses in Saturday’s Betfred Gold Cup at Sandown.

A total of 21 were today confirmed for the Grade Three handicap, which brings a close to the jumps season.

Pipe’s arch rival Paul Nicholls is responsible for three entries – Royal Auclair, Inca Trail and Whitenzo.

The weights are set to rise by 8lb with top-weight Take The Stand having been taken out, leaving Royal Auclair at the head of the handicap along with the Pipe-trained Therealbandit.

Joly Bey, 14th in the Grand National, could make a reappearance along with Ballycassidy, who fell at the second fence in the Aintree marathon, and 10th-fence faller Merchants Friend.

Kelami, winner of the William Hill Trophy at the Cheltenham Festival, has also stood his ground, as has the Kim Muir victor Juveigneur.

Ted Walsh’s Jack High - runner-up in the Irish Grand National - and Davids Lad could represent Ireland, and the entries are completed by Lucky Bay, Boy’s Hurrah and Joint Authority.