Kauto Heads 49 Hopefuls Seeking The Gold Kauto Star, unbeaten on all four starts this season and regarded by many as the potentially the best chaser of recent times, heads 49 entries for the 2007 totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup, details of which are revealed today, Monday, January 8.Click here for Entries Owned by Clive Smith and trained by Paul Nicholls, the seven-year-old is on course for the Blue Riband of chasing following his spectacular victories in the Betfair Chase at Haydock Park and the Stan James King George VI Chase at Kempton. Prize money for the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup stands at a record #425,000 this year and the 49-strong entry is one of the largest in recent seasons, just below the 2006 record of 64 and equal to the previous highest number received in 2003. Opposition to Kauto Star is sure to be strong with all of the first seven horses home in 2006 - War Of Attrition, Hedgehunter, Forget The Past, L'Ami, Take The Stand, Monkerhostin and Sir Rembrandt entered once again. There is a particularly strong Irish challenge with a record 14 entries. As well as the first three home from last year's race, the Irish challenge also includes the very exciting In Compliance, conqueror of War Or Attrition in a Grade One event at Punchestown last month, and Beef Or Salmon, who could bid to break his Cheltenham jinx with a fifth attempt at the three miles, two-and-a-half furlongs contest There are five French-trained entries headed by L'Ami while the best of the British-trained contingent also includes The Listener, who saw off both Beef Or Salmon and War Of Attrition in the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown on December 28 as well as Exotic Dancer, successful in both the Paddy Power and boylesports.com Gold Cup at Cheltenham already this season and the Henrietta Knight-trained Racing Demon. Edward Gillespie, Managing Director at Cheltenham Racecourse, commented: 'Kauto Star is one of those rare horses who has truly set the world of Jump racing alight and it will be fascinating to see how he fares in the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup. 'This year's race has attracted a very high-quality entry and it is extremely encouraging to see a record number of horses engaged from Ireland.'
