Irish duo among PP Gold Cup 24

Shanpallas and Orpheus Valley are the only Irish possibles among the remaining 24 in Saturday's Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham.

The Charles Byrnes-trained Shanpallas collected the Munster National at Limerick on his most recent appearance, while Tom Gibney's Orpheus Valley sprung a surprise at the Punchestown Festival but has been absent since struggling at Galway during the big summer meeting there.

Jamie Snowden reports Present View "ready to do battle" in the Paddy Power. The six-year-old marked himself as one to follow this term when capping an excellent 2013/14 campaign with a Listed victory at the Festival in March.

He subsequently turned in a satisfactory performance on his seasonal bow when beaten just a head in a novice hurdle at Prestbury Park last month, despite ploughing through the final flight, during which he suffered a minor injury.

Present View has now recovered from that problem and Snowden believes that he if can show just a fraction of his hurdles improvement over fences, he could take a starring role at the weekend.

The trainer said: "He struck into his front leg during that race and got a skin cut, but he's absolutely fine now and the vet is very happy with him. He came out of the race fine and he's done three bits of work and schooled well and he's ready to do battle.

"I'm hoping that he can progress further and if he does, the world is his oyster.

"He could be the right side of the handicapper - he received a vast hike in the ratings over hurdles after his last run and if he could progress just a quarter of that over fences, then he would have a big chance.

"I've given him a speculative entry in the King George and if he won the Paddy Power and looked as impressive as we think he is, we would have to have look at that race as otherwise it would be top-weights in handicaps."

The sponsors make Present View the 7-1 joint-favourite with the Nicky Henderson-trained Oscar Whisky, with the weights for the first major handicap of the season due to rise following the defection of original top-weight Menorah.

Double Ross, Wonderful Charm and Taquin Du Seuil have also been taken out, leaving Nicky Henderson's Rajdhani Express, fifth last year off 3lb lower, and Alan King's Uxizandre at the head of affairs.

Oscar Whisky and last year's winner Johns Spirit are below them, with last year's runner-up Colour Squadron another in the mix. Buywise, Attaglance, Caid Du Berlais, Indian Castle and Champion Court are other notable entries.