Racing

Al Boum Photo in line to defend Gold Cup title as entries revealed

Last year's Gold Cup winner Al Boum Phot heads a list of 31 entries for the 2020 Gold Cup at Chel...

Thom Malone

@thom_malone

Racing

Thom Malone

@thom_malone

Last year's Gold Cup winner Al Boum Phot heads a list of 31 entries for the 2020 Gold Cup at Cheltenham in March.

Willie Mullins' first-ever winner of the Blue Riband at the Festival is one of four entered from the Closutton yard. The 2019 winner is joined on the list by Bellshill, Real Steel and Kemboy.

And they're in...🏆

3⃣1⃣ entries for the @MagnersUK Cheltenham Gold Cup 2020 🙌 pic.twitter.com/7FwyTUNwxX

— CheltenhamRacecourse (@CheltenhamRaces) January 8, 2020

Al Boum Photo currently tops the betting market from stablemate Kemboy and is one of three previous winners of the race among the entries, with Sizing John and Native River also in the 31.

Gordon Elliott has entered four horses, with Leopardstown winner Delta Work the shortest-priced. Alpha des Obeaux, Death Duty and Shattered Love also represent Cullentra House.

Entries

Elliott and Mullins are responsible for half of the 16 Irish Entries, Henry de Bromhead has three, Chris's Dream, Balko des Flos and Monalee.

Grade One winners Road to Respect and Presenting Percy represent Noel Meade and Pat Kelly respectively.

Jessica Harrington has Jett alongside former winner Sizing John, while Paul Nolan may have a first Gold Cup runner in the shape of Discorama.

No current trainer has enjoyed more success in the Cheltenham Gold Cup than Paul Nicholls, thanks to the triumphs of See More Business, Kauto Star and Denman.

The Ditcheat handler has two entries in 2020 - last year's fifth Clan Des Obeaux, who captured the King George Chase for a second time, and Frodon, the 2019 Ryanair Chase winner under Bryony Frost.

Lostintranslation trained by Colin Tizzard was pulled up behind Clan Des Obeaux at Kempton Park and has since undergone a wind operation, Elegant Escape and previous winner Native River also represent Tizzard on the list.

Nicky Henderson has won the Gold Cup in the past with Long Run and Bobs Worth, Santini is the only Seven Barrows representative named.

Of the first six horses home in 2019 Gold Cup the only one not entered for 2020 is Anibale Fly. Other notable absentees include Thistlecrack, Yala Enki and Might Bite.

Download the brand new OffTheBall App in the Play Store & App Store right now! We've got you covered!

Subscribe to OffTheBall's YouTube channel for more videos, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for the latest sporting news and content.