Attrition leads Irish entries for Gold Cup

Racing : Last year's winner War Of Attrition leads a record entry of 14 possibles from Ireland for this year's Cheltenham Gold…

Racing: Last year's winner War Of Attrition leads a record entry of 14 possibles from Ireland for this year's Cheltenham Gold Cup. Kauto Star is favourite among the 49 entries at this stage.

Mouse Morris' charge is the 4-1 second favourite with the sponsors totesport despite failing to score in his last three starts this term.

The Willie Mullins-trained Hedgehunter finished a brave second in the blue riband last year and he could reoppose along with Forget The Past, who finished third for Michael O'Brien.

Francois Doumen's L'Ami was fourth in 2006 and he is entered again along with Take The Stand (fifth), Monkerhostin (sixth) and Sir Rembrandt (seventh).

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Other also-rans entered again include Ballycassidy, Kingscliff and Ollie Magern as well as Beef Or Salmon, a nine-time Grade One winner but yet to finish better than fourth in four attempts for Michael Hourigan at Cheltenham.

Paul Nicholls' Kauto Star is unbeaten on all four starts this season, including impressive victories in the Betfair Chase at Haydock and the Stan James King George VI Chase at Kempton on his last outing.

Kauto Star is already the 11-8 favourite with the race sponsors and is one of six horses Nicholls has entered for the Festival feature.

The Ditcheat handler also has Cornish Rebel, Eurotrek, My Will, Neptune Collonges and Sleeping Night in the Grade One contest.