Record Irish-trained entries in 2016 Cheltenham Gold Cup

Noel Meade is doubly represented by dual Grade One scorer Road To Riches (20/1), who was beaten three and a half lengths into third last year, and RSA Chase third Wounded Warrior (40/1).

Can Meade duo defy long absences to triumph?

Road To Riches has not run since landing the Grade 2 Clonmel Oil Chase in November, while Wounded Warrior last appeared when chasing home Valseur Lido in a Grade 1 contest at Punchestown in April.

Meade said: “I could not be happier with Road To Riches. We had a bit of a blood disorder and snotty nose with him at Christmas, but all is well now and the plan is to go to Leopardstown for the Irish Gold Cup (February 6th).

“I felt last year that we tried to put it up to Coneygree and then Djakadam came and got us as we faded on the run-in. I think Djakadam will improve because he was a young horse last year.

“I would be really happy if I could get Road To Riches to Cheltenham in the same condition as last year. He might even improve a little bit as well because he will be a fresher horse this time around. He’d had a long season going there last year.

“I’m not sure ground is a big factor with Road To Riches. He handles soft ground and goes on good ground. You would say the ground was a help to Coneygree last year and we know Djakadam goes very well on soft ground. Those are factors that might make a difference, but we will see.”

Carlingford Lough (trained by John Kiely), Gilgamboa (Enda Bolger), First Lieutenant (Mouse Morris) and Morning Assembly (Pat Fahy) complete the Irish entries.

Plenty home talent entries also on offer

Cue Card (6/1 with Coral) heads the home challenge after an excellent campaign that has seen the rejuvenated 10-year-old win the bet365 Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby, the Betfair Chase at Haydock Park and the William Hill King George VI Chase at Kempton Park.

The latter two victories have set the Colin Tizzard him up for a tilt at the new £1m bonus offered by Jockey Club Racecourses for any horse who can win the Betfair Chase, King George VI Chase and the Cheltenham Gold Cup this season.

Alan King has entered impressive Hennessy Gold Cup scorer Smad Place (25/1), while Saphir Du Rheu tops three entries for Britain’s champion Jump trainer Paul Nicholls.

The only British-trained novice engaged is Scottish-based Seeyouatmidnight who hails from the yard of Sandy Thomson and produced an excellent round of jumping to win a Grade 2 novices’ chase at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day.

Other notable names include Al Ferof, third to Cue Card on Boxing Day, 2014 RSA Chase victor O’Faolains Boy and 2015 Crabbie’s Grand National hero Many Clouds who finished sixth last year.

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