Fancied pair miss Cheltenham Gold run

Quel Esprit and Havingotascoobydo were the most notable absentees at the final 48-hour declaration stage for the Spinal Research The Atlantic 4 Gold Cup at Cheltenham.

Willie Mullins’ Quel Espirt was around the 10-1 mark while Martin Keighley’s Havingotascoobydo was a 12-1 chance but held other options at Cheltenham and also at Doncaster.

Paul Nicholls’ Woolcombe Folly will carry top weight, although Ryan Mahon can take 3lb off.

Nicholls also runs Ghizao, the mount of Ruby Walsh, part-owned by Andy Stewart and David Johnson.

Johnson also owns David Pipe’s Paddy Power winner Great Endeavour, while Stewart will also be represented by Richard Rowe’s Tatenen and Nick Gifford’s Nomecheki.

Pipe also runs I’msingingtheblues, Salut Flo and Matuhi.

Medermit, sent off 11-4 favourite for the Arkle last season, represents Alan King who is still looking for his first win in the race.

The two Irish challengers are Dessie Hughes’ Roberto Goldback and Tom Taaffe’s Finger Onthe Pulse.

Nicky Henderson has whittled his team down to one, Paddy Power runner-up Quantitativeeasing, while the third in that race, Ferdy Murphy’s Divers, will also line up again.

Calgary Bay, Roudoudou Ville, Sunnyhillboy and Mad Moose complete the 17-runner field.