5 Irish Entries in the Red Square Vodka Gold Cup

The 2006 renewal of the #125,000 Grade Three Red Square Vodka Gold Cup, the highlight at Haydock Park on Saturday, February 18, has attracted a record 50 entries, details of which are revealed today, Wednesday, February 1. The previous record number of entries was 46 in 2005, while two years ago there were 36 entries.

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Last year saw Forest Gunner (allocated 10st 5lb this year by the handicapper) come home a length and a half in front of Double Honour (10st 5lb) in the extended three and a half mile handicap chase before running a fine race to finish fifth in the Grand National. Both horses are entered again this year in the Red Square Vodka Gold Cup which is part of the British Horseracing Board?s Order Of Merit bonus scheme.

Martin Pipe is the trainer with the largest number of entries, with nine to choose from at this stage. Pipe?s possible representatives are Therealbandit (11st 4lb), successful in this season?s Rowland Meyrick Chase at Wetherby, Joaaci (11st 3lb), an impressive winner of his seasonal debut at Cheltenham on New Year?s Day, last season?s Grand National fourth It Takes Time (11st 3lb), Comply Or Die (10st 13lb), Iris Bleu (10st 6lb), useful novice Bannow Strand (10st 3lb), Control Man (9st 10lb), 2004 Grand National third Lord Atterbury (9st 9lb) and recent Chepstow scorer Korelo (9st 8lb).

Paul Nicholls is also well represented with seven horses engaged. They are last season?s Grand National runner-up Royal Auclair, who has top-weight of 11st 12lb, recent impressive Warwick Classic Chase scorer Eurotrek (10st 13lb), the 2004 Welsh National victor Silver Birch (10st 7lb), this season?s Welsh National heroine L?Aventure (10st 5lb), Colourful Life (9st 13lb), Heros Collonges (10t 2lb) and Lou du Moulin Mas (9st 7lb).

There are five entries from Ireland, including Another Rum (10st 2lb), winner of the National Hunt Chase at last season?s Cheltenham Festival, and What A Native (9st 4lb), who landed the valuable Pierse Leopardstown Handicap Chase last month.

Francois Doumen provides the three French-trained entries in the form of Innox (10st 8lb), last seen out when taking a valuable handicap chase at Cheltenham in November, King George VI Chase victor First Gold (10st 5lb) and Moulin Riche (9st 7lb), victorious in the Brit Insurance Novices? Hurdle at the 2005 Cheltenham Festival.

Moulin Riche is an intriguing entry, having won the three-mile Grade Two Brit Insurance Novices? Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival last year. He was last seen when falling four hurdles from home behind Mighty Man back at Cheltenham in December.

Doumen revealed today: 'Moulin Riche could be a runner in the Red Square Vodka Gold Cup, but he may run in the Agfa Diamond Chase at Sandown on Saturday first. I?m having a bit of trouble training horses at the moment because of the frost in France, but he is well.

'He was never right from the beginning at Cheltenham last time and I didn?t manage to find out why, but the horse seems to be in such good form that I?m quite keen to run him on Saturday to start with. That will let us see how he?s doing and then we?ll consider Haydock.'

Moulin Riche has never raced over fences in Britain but won the Prix Nupsala at Auteuil in November, 2004 on the most recent of his five chase starts, when he held Mort De Rire by one and a half lengths.

The French handler revealed: 'He is a horse who has always respected his jumps, so I don?t envisage that the English fences will be a problem.

'I would like to give him two runs before Cheltenham and then we?ll know which way he goes.'

Doumen reports First Gold in rude health ahead of his intended start in the Red Square Vodka Gold Cup, which could be a stepping-stone to the Grand National.

The trainer said: 'I might run First Gold at Haydock because he hasn?t been better for a long time. He?s amazingly well. Freshness suits him and he?s on top form.

'I have the Grand National at the back of my mind, because that has been the wish of Mr McManus for a long time. I have always preferred to go for the Betfair Bowl (at Aintree), but First Gold is now 13 and has calmed down, and it is probably the right time to try the National.'

Innox has had the Grand National as his long-term aim since winning over three miles, three and a half furlongs at Cheltenham in November.

The 10-year-old has not raced since and, while he holds an entry for the Red Square Vodka Gold Cup, Doumen revealed a more likely target for his charge on the same card.

He commented: 'Innox will go for the Grand National and he could run in the two mile seven furlong Brit Insurance Prestige Novices? Hurdle at Haydock.'

Other interesting entries for the Red Square Vodka Gold Cup include Iris?s Gift (10st 12lb), who could use the race as a springboard to the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup, Haydock Park regular Chives (10st 11lb), successful in the 2004 Tommy Whittle Chase, the 2003 Royal & SunAlliance Chase winner One Knight (11st 4lb) and Ginger McCain?s duo of 2004 Grand National victor Amberleigh House (9st 12lb) and Ebony Light (10st 5lb), last seen out when defeating Kingscliff to cause a 33/1 upset in the Peter Marsh Chase at Haydock Park on January 21.

Kirkland Tellwright, Clerk of the Course at Haydock Park, commented: 'We are absolutely delighted to have received a record entry of 50 for the 2006 Red Square Vodka Gold Cup.

'The contest?s stature continues to grow year after year and it is very pleasing to see so many high-class performers among the possible starters at this stage.

'The position of the Red Square Vodka Gold Cup in the racing calendar makes it a perfect trial for both Cheltenham and Aintree, as well as offering a very significant prize in its own right.'