Dollars added to Gold Cup field

Afistfullofdollars looks like taking on heavyweights Kauto Star and Denman after being supplemented for the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Connections have decided to fork out #22,500 to add the 10-year-old to the field at the confirmation stage for Friday´s showpiece.

Afistfullofdollars, trained in by Noel Meade, was having just his fourth start over fences when winning the Grade Two Bobbyjo Chase by six lengths at Fairyhouse last month.

The lead-up to the Gold Cup has been dominated by the eagerly-awaited clash of the titans, Kauto Star and Denman, who head a total of 20 now in the big race.

The Paul Nicholls-trained pair have captured the public´s imagination this winter taking all before them and jumping followers have been anticipating this clash all winter.

Kauto Star captured the blue riband prize 12 months ago and should he win again will collect a #1 million bonus for winning the Betfair Chase, King George VI Chase and Gold Cup in the same season.

Denman took the SunAlliance Chase in 2007 and is unbeaten in eight chases, including the Hennessy Gold Cup and Lexus Chase this term.

Among the other acceptors are Exotic Dancer, who chased home Kauto Star last March. There had been some doubt about his participation due to a minor setback but that appears to be behind the Jonjo O´Neill-trained gelding now.

Exotic Dancer´s owner Sir Robert Ogden also has Star De Mohaison. The latter is trained by Nicholls who has a fourth possible in Neptune Collonges.

As well as Afistfullofdollars, there are two other Irish possibles in Chelsea Harbour and Mossbank, while Richard Chotard´s Fustrien Du Paon is the sole French raider.

The list is completed by Aces Four, Azulejo, Billyvoddan, Celestial Gold, Contraband, Halcon Genelardais, Iron Man, Knowhere, Monkerhostin, Ollie Magern and Racing Demon.