Another Irish star, Willie Mullins’ Florida Pearl, who beat Henrietta Knight’s Best Mate in the King George VI Chase, will bid to better his second in the 2000 renewal, and his third the previous year.

King George third Bacchanal provides further representation from the Boxing Day race as does the sole French-trained entry, Francois Doumen’s First Gold, who was a well-beaten favourite in the Kempton highlight.

Neither Martin Pipe nor Nicky Henderson, who are the Festival’s most successful trainers with 25 and 24 wins respectively, have managed to land the Gold Cup and each has six entries this year.

Cyfor Malta and the progressive Shooting Light look to represent Pipe’s strongest chances, while the Henderson team includes Marlborough, winner of the ‘substitute’ Gold Cup at Sandown in April, along with Bacchanal.

Previous Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup winners, the Paul Nicholls-trained See More Business (1999), and Noel Chance’s Looks Like Trouble (2000), are entered once again.

Looks Like Trouble has been off the track since November 2000 but is set to return at Wincanton later this month.

Miss Knight has also entered Lord Noelie, successful in the 2000 Royal & SunAlliance Chase, while Mullins is also represented by Alexander Banquet.

Ted Walsh has Commanche Court, who took the JCB Triumph Hurdle in 1997, and Philip Hobbs could let Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup winner What’s Up Boys, who also landed the 2000 Coral Cup at the Festival, take his chance.

Martell Grand National winner Red Marauder, who had been mooted as a possible Cheltenham candidate, has not been entered although his stablemate and full-brother Red Striker is engaged.