Long Run and Kauto Star heads 34 Gold Cup entries

A total of 34 horses have been entered for the Cheltenham Gold Cup on March 16th 2012. There were no surprise absentees when the entries were announced last week and Long Run remains a solid favourite at 5-2 to repeat last year’s success.

Kauto Star has emerged as Long Run’s rival in the Gold Cup betting and is now down to 4-1 following his victory in the King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day. Kauto Star will be bidding to regain the Gold Cup for the second time, having been successful in 2007 and 2009.

David Pipe has entered his star novice chaser, Grands Crus, although no decision about his participation until nearer the race. He features as third favourite at 7-1. Pipe has also entered his leading Grand National hope, Junior. One surprise entry is Finian’s Rainbow trained, like Long Run, by Nicky Henderson. He has been campaigned with the Queen Mother Champion Chase in mind and has never raced beyond 2 miles and 5 furlongs. Henderson also has Burton Port entered in the race, although he has not been seen in public since chasing home Diamond Harry in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury in 2010.

Jonjo O’Neill’s Synchronised is down to 10-1 following his surprise win in the Lexus Chase, a victory that seriously dented the Gold Cup ambitions of Ireland’s Quito De La Roque. O’Neill also has dual Ryanair Chase winner Albertas Run entered. Quito De La Roque’s trainer, Colm Murphy, is convinced that his horse was below form that day and possibly still feeling the effects of his previous race. He is now 25-1 and is one of eight entries from Ireland. His next planned race is the Hennessy where he is likely to meet China Rock who made a pleasing comeback last weekend for Mouse Morris.

Saturday’s Warwick winner, Hey Big Spender, has been introduced at 66-1. The Warwick race is usually regarded as a Grand National trial but trainer Colin Tizzard is not convinced that his horse will jump around Aintree safely and prefers a tilt at the Gold Cup in the hope of his favoured heavy ground.

Other entries that catch the eye include Ascot winner The Minack and Alan King’s improving Medermit. King George VI third, Captain Chris, did not impress everyone there but remains a 14-1 chance for the Gold Cup. Philip Hobbs is also keeping his options open with the Ryanair Chase a possible alternative. There are several big trial races coming up but it will take a very impressive performance to challenge Long Run and Kauto Star in the Gold Cup betting.