Totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup 2008 Runners & Riders

1 311211 AFISTFULLOFDOLLARS 10 11-10
Noel Meade Paul Carberry
Connections paid £22,500 to supplement him into the race so confidence is high. Looked impressive beating Hedgehunter and Snowy Morning in the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse.
Rating: 7/10 Odds: 33-1

2 15/2P7 AZULEJO 10 11-10
Michael Scudamore Tom Scudamore
Has had plenty of experience in his native France but his two runs in Britain have been unremarkable and it would be amazing if he featured in the shake-up.
Rating: 2/10 Odds: 500-1

3 7U1/P3 CELESTIAL GOLD 10 11-10
David Pipe Timmy Murphy
Has run twice in this race in 2005 and 06 before but neither run was particularly impressive. Well beaten by Denman in the Aon Chase and needs to improve a lot.
Rating: 5/10 Odds: 100-1

4 P0459- CONTRABAND 10 11-10
Paul Murphy Tom Dreaper
A previous Cheltenham winner (2005 Arkle Trophy) but that kind of winning form seems a long time ago now and it looks like he will be just here to make up the numbers.
Rating: 2/10 Odds: 500-1

5 11-111 DENMAN 8 11-10
Paul Nicholls Sam Thomas
Definitely has the ability to beat stablemate Kauto Star. There are question marks over his level of experience but won last year's Royal & Sun Alliance Chase.
Rating: 9/10 Odds: 6-4

6 21-323 EXOTIC DANCER 8 11-10
Jonjo O'Neill Tony McCoy
Second to Kauto Star last year and again at Haydock last November. Comes into the race after an injury scare late last month which does not inspire confidence.
Rating: 6/10 Odds: 12-1

7 P861/9 FUSTRIEN DU PAON 12 11-10
Richard Chotard A Lecordier
The only French-based runner and has won six times at Auteuil over his career but has little or no chance in this company.
Rating: 2/10 Odds: 500-1

8 13P-32 HALCON GENELARDAIS 8 11-10
Alan King Robert Thornton
Just edged out by Miko de Beauchane in December's Welsh Grand National but did show some encouraging signs that day. Definitely has each-way chances.
Rating: 7/10 Odds: 16-1

9 241F-P IRON MAN 7 11-10
Peter Bowen Denis O'Regan
Another one who would not make the shortlist. Form does not appear to be good enough while yard has struggled a little recently.
Rating: 4/10 Odds: 200-1

10 1-2111 KAUTO STAR 8 11-10
Paul Nicholls Ruby Walsh
Last year's champion has barely put a foot wrong in his preparations this season. Has seemingly recovered from an injury scare after last run at Ascot.
Rating: 9/10 Odds: Evens

11 -135P1 KNOWHERE 10 11-10
Nigel Twiston-Davies Paddy Brennan
Won the Letherby and Christopher Chase at Cheltenham in January but this is a big step up, although he has been in the best form of his career this season.
Rating: 6/10 Odds: 28-1

12 F81-31 NEPTUNE COLLONGES 7 11-10
Paul Nicholls Mick Fitzgerald
Finished eighth in this race last year but went on to win at Punchestown. Has had a relatively low-key preparation and is unlikely to get the better of his high-profile stablemates.
Rating: 6/10 Odds: 25-1

13 7-1644 OLLIE MAGERN 10 11-10
Nigel Twiston-Davies David England
Has been well beaten by both Kauto Star and Denman this season so faces an uphill task and also needs plenty of pace. This does not look like being his day.
Rating: 4/10 Odds: 100-1

14 54-143 RACING DEMON 8 11-10
Henrietta Knight Paul Moloney
Preferred trip is three miles but he has his quirky moments. Was third to Kauto Star last time out. Trainer has a solid record in the race after guiding Best Mate to three wins.
Rating: 5/10 Odds: 50-1

15 1/11-3 STAR DE MOHAISON 7 11-10
Paul Nicholls Barry Geraghty
The winner of the Royal & Sun Alliance Chase at the 2006 Festival. Missed all of 2007 through injury and only has one run over hurdles for his preparations for this race, which may work against him.
Rating: 5/10 Odds: 28-1

Totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup 2008 entries

1241F-P ACES FOUR (IRE) 9 Ferdy Murphy

1F1-0010F ALEXANDER TAIPAN (IRE) 8 Willie Mullins IRE

F21151-0 ANOTHER PROMISE (IRE) 9 Ferdy Murphy

P//415/-2P0 AZULEJO (FR) 10 Michael Scudamore

U/513P-P4 BILLYVODDAN (IRE) 9 Henry Daly

1130/U1/P3 CELESTIAL GOLD (IRE) 10 David Pipe

U0-4P3F1 CHELSEA HARBOUR (IRE) 8 Tom Mullins IRE

2P0450- CONTRABAND 10 Paul Murphy

1111-111 DENMAN (IRE) 8 Paul Nicholls

121-323 EXOTIC DANCER (FR) 8 Jonjo O'Neill

56P-24121 FUNDAMENTALIST (IRE) 10 Nigel Twiston-Davies

0/1P061/0 FUSTRIEN DU PAON (FR) 12 Richard Chotard FR

211F-361 GUNGADU 8 Paul Nicholls

113P-32 HALCON GENELARDAIS (FR) 8 Alan King

22/500-P50 HEDGEHUNTER (IRE) 12 Willie Mullins IRE

1r416F5 IRON MAN (FR) 7 Peter Bowen

111-211 KAUTO STAR (FR) 8 Paul Nicholls

11/1231/2 KICKING KING (IRE) 10 Tom Taaffe IRE

0U-135P1 KNOWHERE (IRE) 10 Nigel Twiston-Davies

21U-1164 L'ANTARTIQUE (FR) 8 Ferdy Murphy

0P-14F00 MAJADAL (FR) 10 Richard Chotard FR

11305-54 MILAN DEUX MILLE (FR) 6 David Pipe

44R5-33 MONKERHOSTIN (FR) 11 Philip Hobbs

F0P-112 MOSSBANK (IRE) 8 Michael Hourigan IRE

216F01-3 NEPTUNE COLLONGES (FR) 7 Paul Nicholls

5/U40-164 OLLIE MAGERN 10 Nigel Twiston-Davies

3F54-14 RACING DEMON (IRE) 8 Henrietta Knight

13U/232/00 RULE SUPREME (IRE) 12 Willie Mullins IRE

124-F113 SNOWY MORNING (IRE) 8 Willie Mullins IRE

111/11-3 STAR DE MOHAISON (FR) 7 Paul Nicholls

1/164-256 STATE OF PLAY 8 Evan Williams

120-U131 THE LISTENER (IRE) 9 Robert Alner

210P-P12 TURKO (FR) 6 Paul Nicholls

P235-41 TURPIN GREEN (IRE) 9 Nicky Richards