Pandorama among 34 Gold Cup entries

Pandorama heads a total of nine Irish-trained entries for the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup to be run this year on March 18th.

The Festival showpiece carries record prize-money of £500,000 and as expected all the big-name staying chasers are engaged including last year's winner Imperial Commander.

Pandorama posted an impressive victory in the Grade 1 Lexus Chase at Leopardstown on December 28, while other notable Irish entries include Sizing Europe, China Rock, Cooldine and Joncol.

Noel Meade is hoping for suitable ground for his charge saying: "Pandorama will hopefully head to Cheltenham providing he is fit and well, although we wouldn't run him on good going. Good to soft ground would be OK and we would love to run him in the Cheltenham Gold Cup."

Kauto Star, who became the first horse to regain the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2009 after a first success in 2007, is also among the total entry of 34.

He will head to the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup after attempting to win the William Hill King VI Chase for a record fifth time at Kempton on Saturday.

His trainer Paul Nicholls, who is bidding to join Arkle's trainer Tom Dreaper in winning the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup for a record fifth time, has also entered Denman, What A Friend, Noland, Neptune Collonges, The Nightingale and Pride Of Dulcote.

Despite being the leading current trainer at The Festival, Nicky Henderson has yet to taste victory in the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup.

However the Lambourn handler looks set to have a strong hand this year with last season's emphatic Grade 1 Feltham Novices' Chase scorer Long Run, due to be Kauto Star's main danger at Kempton this weekend, and Grade 1 winner Punchestowns.

Midnight Chase has excelled around Cheltenham this season with three consecutive victories for his handler Neil Mulholland, while exciting novice Time For Rupert, from the stable of Paul Webber, could also bid to enhance his perfect record over fences at Prestbury Park, having recorded a pair of eight-length successes at The Open and The International.