Tranquil and Alliance among 20 declared for Paddy Power Irish hopes of a long awaited win in the Paddy Power Gold Cup rest with Tranquil Sea and Northern Alliance after the pair were among a maximum field of 20 declared for the Cheltenham showpiece this Saturday. The recently-retired Michael O'Brien was the last Irish trainer to take this valuable prize when successful with Bright Highway in 1980. Paul Nicholls is three-handed as he bids to improve on a poor record in the race, declaring Tatenen, Poquelin and Chapoturgeon, the mount of Timmy Murphy. Our Vic heads the weights, while his trainer David Pipe also runs I'm So Lucky. Nigel Twiston-Davies, successful last year with Imperial Commander, is another double-handed with Knowhere and Ballyfitz. Tom George will be looking for a better performance from Tartak after his disappointing show at Aintree, while Alan King's Tarotino, Nicky Henderson's My Petra and Andy Turnell's Bible Lord are also there. Howard Johnson's Akilak was taken out at the 48-hour stage enabling Keith Goldsworthy's Hold Em to gain a place in the line-up.
