Kauto Heads 29 Going For Gold Ante-post favourite Kauto Star heads 29 horses going forward for the ¨425,000 totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup, details of which are revealed today, Wednesday, February 21.The Paul Nicholls-trained seven-year-old, who recently completed his preparation for chasing=s most prestigious prize with victory in the AON Chase at Newbury, is set to face opposition from the likes of last year=s hero War Of Attrition, Exotic Dancer, who has already taken three contests at Cheltenham this season in the Paddy Power Gold Cup, boylesports.com Gold Cup and the Letheby & Christopher Chase, Hennessy Gold Cup victor State Of Play, as well as The Listener from the Robert Alner yard. There are a total of six entries from Ireland still engaged.Kieran Packman, Timeform=s communications manager, commented: AThe totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup obviously revolves around Kauto Star, who is rated 12lb superior to his nearest rival, Our Vic. In the last 20 years, only two horses, Desert Orchid and Carvill´s Hill, had preCheltenham form on a par with that which Kauto Star has shown. AWith regard to his jumping, there are clearly some flaws, but there is a danger such media fears are going to overshadow Kauto Star´s achievements in notching up a fivetimer  after all, jumping errors didn´t prevent outstanding talents such as Captain Christy and Dawn Run claiming Gold Cup glory. In the ,310,000 Seasons Holidays Queen Mother Champion Chase, 20 horses remain engaged including last year=s winner Newmill, the 2006 Irish Independent Arkle Trophy victor Voy Por Ustedes and Well Chief, who recently returned to action with a convincing display in the Game Spirit Chase at Newbury.Kieran Packman added: AWell Chief looks one of the bankers of The Festival in the Seasons Holidays Queen Mother Champion Chase, coming out 17lb clear of reigning champion Newmill. AWell Chief´s Game Spirit win wasn´t enough on form to justify such a lofty rating as he actually ran a stone below his lifetime best figure (recorded when he was third in the 2004 Tingle Creek). However, Timeform has taken the view that he showed enough in his easy victory to suggest that he´s as good as he was prior to his enforced absence.@All of the main contenders have stood their ground in both the ,360,000 Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle and the ,250,000 Ladbrokes World Hurdle. With 2006 victor Brave Inca, the 2004 and 2005 hero Hardy Eustace as well the leading British-trained contender Detroit City and the likes of Macs Joy, Newmill and Straw Bear all standing their ground, the Smurfit Champion Hurdle looks to be one of the strongest ever. Kieran Packman said: AOn Timeform ratings, there are seven intended Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle runners within a 6lb range on adjusted ratings (Macs Joy 177, Hardy Eustace 176, Asian Maze 176, Brave Inca 175, Detroit City 174p, Iktitaf 173, Harchibald 171´). AAlthough Macs Joy emerges top on the figures, it must be remembered that he achieved that careerhigh when winning at Punchestown in April on good ground. Current favourite Detroit City has a little bit to find on the top Irishtrained horses but is obviously an improving fiveyearold.AMighty Man is the toprated staying hurdler in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle by a pound (rated on his run at Aintree in April) from likely Smurfit Champion Hurdle contenders Hardy Eustace and Asian Maze. AAssuming the latter pair run on the Tuesday, Mighty Man will have 4lb in hand of his nearest rival, Inglis Drever. Longtime favourite Black Jack Ketchum is a pound lower than Howard Johnson´s contender and, despite the extensive media coverage of him earlier in the season, still has a bit to prove and looks a pretty short price in the current antepost markets.@This pack contains details of all the horses remaining in the above races as well as the Ryanair Chase, the Irish Independent Arkle Trophy, the Royal & SunAlliance Chase, the Anglo Irish Bank Supreme Novices= Hurdle, the Ballymore Properties Novices= Hurdle, the JCB Triumph Hurdle and the Brit Insurance Novices= Hurdle.
