Presenting Percy is clear in the RSA

Cheltenham Festival: Friday entries including Magners Cheltenham Gold Cup

By Sporting Life

Horse Racing

Sat March 09, 2019 · 7y ago

Presenting Percy, Clan Des Obeaux and Native River head 20 entries for the Magners Cheltenham Gold Cup as the six-day declarations for the Friday of the Festival were released.

Big guns head Gold Cup 20

Presenting Percy, Clan Des Obeaux and Native River head 20 entries for the Magners Cheltenham Gold Cup as the six-day declarations for the Friday of the Festival were released.

Those three are disputing favouritism at the head of the market, with Kemboy, one of four entries for Willie Mullins, the best of the rest.

Al Boum Photo, Bellshill and Invitation Only are the other three possibles from Closutton.

The rest of the Irish challenge looks strong, with Anibale Fly, Balko des Flos, Monalee, Road To Respect and Shattered Love all still in with a chance of lining up for the feature.

The home challenge is headed by Clan Des Obeaux, trained by Paul Nicholls, and he could still, theoretically, be joined by stablemate Frodon in the race, even though his trainer has stated a preference for the Ryanair for the latter.

Bristol De Mai, Definitly Red, Double Shuffle, Elegant Escape, Might Bite, Thistlecrack and Yala Enki complete the 20 six-day acceptors.

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Sir Erec tops Triumph possibles

Sir Erec is one of four entries for Joseph O'Brien as 25 six-day acceptors stood their ground for the JCB Triumph Hurdle, the opening contest on the final day of the Cheltenham Festival next Friday.

A brilliant winner of the usually informative Spring Juvenile at the Dublin Racing Festival, O'Brien reported the colt had a stone bruise at the end of the week but all is expected to be fine for him to take his chance.

Fakir D'Oudairies, Band Of Outlaws and Gardens Of Babylon are the others from O'Brien's that could run.

Pic D'orhy, Quel Destin and Ecco represent Paul Nicholls, while Nicky Henderson is double-handed with Adjali and Pentland Hills.

Gordon Elliott, who has won the race twice in recent years with Tiger Roll and Farclas, has six entries; Authorizo, Chief Justice, Couer Sublime, Coko Beach, Lethal Steps and Surin.

Rinrize, Tiger Tap Tap and French made represent Willie Mullins.