Ten in Irish Gold Cup but Road To Respect withdrawn Road To Respect was the main defector as 10 horses stood their ground for Sunday's Unibet Irish Gold Cup following the latest forfeit stage. The Noel Meade-trained seven-year-old was expected to be a leading contender following his win in the Leopardstown Christmas Chase at the Dublin track over Christmas. That victory in the former Lexus Chase completed a fine 2017 for Meade's charge, adding to wins at the Cheltenham Festival and in the Grade One Ryanair Gold Cup at Fairyhouse. Willie Mullins has two strings to his bow in the shape of dual Cheltenham Gold Cup runner-up Djakadam and Killultagh Vic, who made a winning return over hurdles at Punchestown on New Year's Eve after nearly two years on the sidelines. Owner Rich Ricci is hoping Djakadam can bounce back to form after being pulled up behind Road To Respect at Christmas, having made an en couraging reappearance when second to Sizing John in the John Durkan Chase at Punchestown earlier in December. Ricci said: "Djakadam has a lot of questions to answer. I thought his run first time out was very good. as he looked big to me. "Willie said he was not as forward as in previous years. I think the Irish Gold Cup is important to him as he has got to show some sparkle to have any chance of coming to Cheltenham and being competitive. "I was hoping that he and Sizing John can write that last race off as coming too soon." Last year's winner Sizing John may not be defending his crown, but his trainer Jessica Harrington still has Our Duke in contention. The 2017 Irish Grand National hero is on a retrieval mission, having disappointed in the JNwine.com Champion Chase at Down Royal on his seasonal return, after which he subsequently underwent a back operation. Gordon Elliott is two-handed with Outlander and Mala Beach, while the sole British raider is Jonjo O'Neill's Minella Rocco, who was runner-up in the Cheltenham Gold Cup last season. The list of acceptors is completed by Alpha Des Obeaux, Anibale Fly, Edwulf and Valseur Lido.
