Shanpallas only Irish runner in Paddy Power Shanpallas is the sole Irish representative in the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham on Saturday. Last year's sixth, trained by Charles Byrnes, won the 2014 Munster National but was brought down when trying to defend his Limerick crown most recently. Leading ante-post fancies Kings Palace and Monetaire will aim to improve the Pipe family legacy in the Paddy Power. With Martin Pipe securing eight wins before his retirement, his son David goes in search of a second success following Great Endeavour's triumph in 2012. Kings Palace is unbeaten first time out but he has been a costly failure at the last two Festivals, while Monetaire was second to Darna at the big meeting in March. Johns Spirit is back again for the Jonjo O'Neill team. Having won the race two years ago, he was beaten by the narrowest of margins last season by Caid Du Berlais. That was Paul Nicholls' second Paddy Power win in the last three years - after Al Ferof in 2013 - and the Ditcheat handler holds a strong hand again with top-weight Sound Investment and Art Mauresque. Sound Investment was last seen winning the Old Roan Chase at Aintree and runs here with "nothing to lose" after landing his target. Dan Downie, representing the syndicate which owns Sound Investment, said: "He had his run over hurdles first time to put him right for Aintree. "Back in the summer Paul pinpointed the Old Roan as a real chance for him to win a good race and he did that. "With his rise in the weights and the money on offer here, we've nothing to lose by running him really." The last northern-trained winner was Ferdy Murphy's L'Antartique in 2007 and their hopes this time rest with Malcolm Jefferson's progressive Oscar Rock. Festival winners Irish Cavalier and Darna are back to improve their course records, as is Boondooma, impressive over two miles last month. Paul Townend, who rode Rebecca Curtis' Irish Cavalier to victory at the Festival, is back on board. Curtis said: "It's great to have Paul on board as he knows the horse well." Cocktails At Dawn represents Nicky Henderson, with Alan King's new recruit Annacotty, the Evan Williams-trained Buywise and Present View from Jamie Snowden's yard all holding solid claims. Nigel Twiston-Davies, three times a winner of the race, is doubly represented by Double Ross and Splash Of Ginge. Cloud Creeper, Next Sensation, Bennys Mist and Generous Ransom complete the 20-strong field, with the two reserves being Turn Over Sivola and Little Jon.
