Kauto Star Tops 55 Entries In Paddy Power Gold Cup

Paul Nicholls´ exciting chaser Kauto Star heads a superb 55-strong entry for the #110,000 Paddy Power Gold Cup, run over two miles and four and half furlongs at Cheltenham on Saturday, November 11.

Kauto Star, the 4/1 favourite (with a run) with sponsor Paddy Power, is likely to be handed top-weight when the weights are released next week

The champion jump trainer has also entered Armaturk (25/1), second behind stable companion Kauto Star at Aintree over two and a half miles on October 22, and five-year-old Taranis (10/1), winner of his four completed novice chase starts last season, and a ready scorer on his return over hurdles at Chepstow earlier this month, as well as the useful Cerium (20/1).

David Pipe will be hoping to follow in the footsteps of father Martin, who trained no less than eight winners of the Paddy Power Gold Cup, and 2005 hero Our Vic (10/1) heads an eight-strong entry for the new master of Pond House, Somerset.

Therealbandit (25/1), 13th behind Our Vic in last year´s renewal, and 2005 Irish Independent Arkle Chase winner Contraband (20/1) could be joined by Tamarinbleu (20/1), Commercial Flyer (10/1), Bannow Strand (20/1), Madison Du Berlais (16/1) and Vodka Bleu (14/1).

Lambourn handler Nicky Henderson is one of the few people to have broken the Martin Pipe stranglehold in the Paddy Power Gold Cup over the last 10 years, and his four entries are headed by 2003 victor and Cheltenham specialist Fondmort (20/1).

Crozan (16/1), impressive in novice company over the course and distance in November last year, and Copsale Lad (9/1), runner-up to the James Fanshawe-trained Reveillez (10/1) in the Jewson Novices´ Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in March, are entered along with Mariah Rollins (20/1), transferred from Pat Fahy´s Co Carlow stable having run eighth to Our Vic in the 2005 race.

Nigel Twiston-Davies, on the mark with Tipping Tim in 1992, has enjoyed a very good start to the new jump season and has the talented novice Knowhere (16/1) entered, while Philip Hobbs, successful with Joint Sovereignty in 1989, has Chilling Place (20/1) to consider.

There are 11 Irish-trained entries, compared with seven a year ago, including four from the Noel Meade yard. Sir Oj (20/1), victorious in the Boylesports.com Gold Cup at Cheltenham in December, and last year´s Queen Mother Champion Chase sixth Watson Lake (16/1) are possibles along with Wild Passion (16/1) and Zum See (33/1).

Michael O´Brien, responsible for the last winner to emerge from the Emerald Isle in Bright Highway 26 years ago, has a fascinating contender in the shape of the promising In Compliance (14/1), last seen when third to Accordion Etoile in the Grade One Swordlestown Cup Novice Chase at Punchestown in April.

Alan King´s Kandjar D´Allier (12/1) finished an excellent third to Our Vic 12 months ago, while Kings Brook (12/1), trained by Nick Williams, is a progressive six-year-old, landing the hat-trick in a valuable handicap chase at Market Rasen on September 23, and the Charlie Egerton-trained Graphic Approach ( 14/1) was last seen running a good third to Non So in the Racing Post Plate at Cheltenham in March.

Other interesting contenders include the Henry Daly-trained pair Hand Inn Hand (20/1) and Billyvoddan (20/1), Garde Champetre (16/1) from the powerful Jonjo O´Neill stable, who has yet justify the 530,000 guineas he cost his owner JP McManus, and Kelrev (20/1), trained by Venetia Williams, who saddled The Outback Way to land the spoils in 1999.

Big Rob´s (40/1) trainer, Brendan Powell, rode Dublin Flyer to victory in 1995, and Carl Llewellyn, Tipping Tim´s winning jockey, has Too Forward (20/1) entered, having taken over from Mark Pitman as trainer at Weathercock House in Lambourn.

The weights for the first major handicap chase of the season will be issued on Wednesday, November 1. The Paddy Power Gold Cup is part of the BHB´s Order of Merit Series.

Simon Claisse, Director of Racing at Cheltenham, said: 'The Paddy Power Gold Cup is always a fantastic race and this year´s renewal looks as good as ever, with a host of top-notch performers among the entries.

'Martin Pipe had a tremendous record in the Paddy Power Gold Cup, and it will be fascinating to see whether his son David can keep it in the family or whether a new name will appear on the roll of honour.'

Paddy Power opening book: 4/1 Kauto Star (with a run), 9/1 Copsale Lad, 10/1 Our Vic, Taranis, Reveillez, Commercial Flyer, 12/1 Kandjar D´Allier, Kings Brook, 14/1 Graphic Approach, In Compliance, Vodka Bleu, 16/1 Watson Lake, Wild Passion, Crozan, Exotic Dancer, Knowhere, Rubberdubber, Tumbling Dice, Madison Du Berlais, Garde Champetre, 20/1 Fondmort, Sir Oj, Contraband, Tamarinbleu, Cerium, Mariah Rollins, Hand Inn Hand, Ground Ball, Billyvoddan, Chilling Place, Kelrev, Too Forward, Bannow Strand, 25/1 Armaturk, Therealbandit, Claymore, Oodachee, Kasthari, New Alco, Oh Be The Hokey, 33/1 Mister McGoldrick, Nayodabayo, Ball O Malt, Roman Ark, Tighe Caster, Mr Boo, Slim Pickings, Randwick Roar, Zum See, Dix Villez, 40/1 Flying Spirit, Big Rob, Butler´s Cabin, 50/1 Calatagan, Another Joker.