Shanpallas remains in Paddy Power mix The Irish challenge for the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham on Saturday has been whittled down to just Shanpallas. Trained by Charles Byrnes and owned by JP McManus, the seven-year-old will be seeking redemption if he does run after having been brought down at Limerick last month Leading fancies Boondooma and Kings Palace feature amongst the 28 Paddy Power confirmations. Trained respectively by Dr Richard Newland and David Pipe, the duo are currently jostling for ante-post favouritism at around the 8-1 mark. Pipe could also saddle Monetaire and La Vaticane in the coveted Grade Three handicap over two and a half miles. Ptit Zig and Sound Investment have been left at the head of the weights, with Paul Nicholls having also confirmed Art Mauresque and Easter Day. Johns Spirit, last year's runner-up and 2013 Paddy Power winner, and Cheltenham Festival scorer Irish Cavalier are rated just below Ptit Zig and Sound Investment, with leading fancies Oscar Rock and Cocktails At Dawn also bound closely together by the handicapper. Nigel Twiston-Davies has left in Double Ross, Little Jon, Astracad and Splash Of Ginge, while Evan Williams' Buywise could have another crack after running well in the race last year. Another Festival winner, Next Sensation, is also in the hat, with connections convinced a step up in trip is what he needs. The eight-year-old will, however, not run if conditions get too demanding. Trainer Michael Scudamore said: "I was happy enough with his reappearance. "He left his hind legs through the one at the top of the hill and that knocked the stuffing out of him. "He is in the Paddy Power and Tom (Scudamore) is positive that two and a half miles will be the making of him. "If he keeps well in himself that's an option, but we won't go there if it's too soft." Annacotty, Darna, Present View, and Generous Ransom are other interesting contenders.
