Imperial Call is left in

Imperial Call, who was expected to go straight to Cheltenham for the Gold Cup and miss Sunday's Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup after his trainer reported last week that the horse's blood was "not up to scratch", was among the 11 acceptors yesterday for the £100,000 Leopardstown event.

The winner of the race in 1996, Imperial Call is considered by bookmakers a doubtful runner but a decision about his possible participation is not expected to be made until later in the week.

There is likely to be only two English-trained runners, for although Earth Summit is among the acceptors, he is unlikely to join the David Nicholson-trained Escartefigue and Ferdy Murphy's Addington Boy at the start. Most eyes, however, will be on Florida Pearl, a leading Cheltenham Gold Cup fancy ever since his win on last season's Royal & SunAlliance Novices' Chase but a faller on his reappearance in December. Richard Dunwoody is almost certain to be fit to ride Florida Pearl, with Ruby Walsh ready to deputise if needed.

Addington Boy is set to make his debut for Ferdy Murphy, even though the going is currently unsuitably soft at Leopardstown.

"Adrian Maguire will ride and if the ground is lively I am looking for a good run," the trainer said.

"He won't run," said Earth Summit's part-owner Nigel Payne. "He will probably go straight to Aintree, though if it was really wet we might just have a look at the Gold Cup - though that looks a hot race this year."

Acceptors: Addington Boy, Bob Treacy, Boss Doyle, Buck Rogers, Danoli, Earth Summit, Escartefigue, Florida Pearl, Imperial Call, Inis Cara, Papillon.

Betting:

Ladbrokes: 11-10 Florida Pearl, 6-4 Escartefigue, 12-1 Bob Treacy, Danoli, 14-1 Earth Summit, 14-1 Papillon, 16-1 Boss Doyle, 33-1 Inis Cara, 40-1 Addington Boy, 50-1 Buck Rodgers. Paddy Power: 8-13 Florida Pearl, 9-4 Escartefigue, 7-1 Danoli, 10-1 Bob Treacy, 20-1 Papillon, 25-1 Addington Boy, 33-1 Inis Cara, 401 Buck Rogers.

Impressive recent winners Kings Measure and Moondigua had their prospects of victory in Saturday's Tote Sandown Hurdle boosted yesterday after the weights rose 10lb. Last month's seven-length Wetherby winner Kings Measure, whose trainer Malcolm Jefferson landed the prize with Tullymurry Toff two years ago, now has 10st 5lb to carry.

Martin Pipe's Moondigua, who trotted up at Warwick on his British debut four weeks ago, is on 10st 4lb.

Arthur Moore's Darbela is a best-priced 20 to 1.