Record entry for Thomas Pink

A record total of 58 entries were revealed today for the Stg£100,000 Thomas Pink Gold Cup at Cheltenham a week on Saturday.

This number is eight more than last year`s previous record and compares to 43 entries in 1999 and 36 in 1998 for the equivalent contest.

The weights, which are announced tomorrow, are likely to be headed by Fadalko, one of five possibles from Paul Nicholls` yard.

Nicholls` quintet also includes Cenkos, Dorans Gold, Exit To Wave and Whitenzo, a French-bred five-year-old who was highly impressive when winning three out of four novice chases last season.

Champion jumps trainer Martin Pipe, who landed this prestigious event last year with Lady Cricket, has the highest number of entries, 10, three more than in 2000, and they include last year`s winner.

Eight Irish entries have been received including Noel Meade`s pair Arctic Copper and Kings Valley.

Nicky Henderson has three promising candidates in the extended two and a half mile contest in Dusk Duel, Geos and Goguenard.

Another interesting entry is the Lydia Richards-trained Eau De Cologne.

The nine-year-old was narrowly beaten on his first outing of the season at Wincanton by Celibate, another on target for a crack at the Thomas Pink Gold Cup.

Henry Daly has two potential contenders in Behrajan and Young Spartacus.

Venetia Williams won the equivalent of the Thomas Pink Gold Cup in 1999 with The Outback Way and she has four entries this time, along with Jonjo O`Neill.

Williams` quartet comprises the talented Bellator, whose last success came in the John Bull Chase at Wincanton in January, Native Wit, Royale De Vassy, and Samakaan.

Principal among O`Neill`s four is Legal Right, who made his reappearance at Wetherby on Saturday when fourth to Sackville in the Peterhouse Group Charlie Hall Chase.

Scrahan Cross, Siberian Gale and Under Wraps complete the trainer`s entries.