Mon Parrain heads a field of 20 declared for the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham on Saturday.
Trainer Paul Nicholls has a dismal record in this particular race but he will be hoping the unexposed five-year-old can put the record straight. And for good measure, Nicholls will also be represented in the prestigious handicap chase by top-weight Poquelin and Aerial. Poquelin's presence means the weights will not go up, leaving the bottom eight horses, including Aerial, out of the handicap proper.
Philip Hobbs has elected to run Wishfull Thinking, winner of races at the Aintree and Punchestown Festivals last spring. Nicky Henderson will saddle Dave's Dream and Quantitativeeasing while last year's winning trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies runs both Swincombe Rock and Billie Magern.
There are two Irish-trained challengers in the shape of Henry de Bromhead's Loosen My Load and Tom Taaffe's Finger Onthe Pulse. Completing a quality field are Oiseau de Nuit, Great Endeavour, Holmwood Legend, The Giant Bolster, Calgary Bay, Araldur, Noble Alan, Tullamore Dew, Divers and Fine Parchment.
As expected, Noble Prince was withdrawn by his trainer Paul Nolan and another notable absentee was Malcolm Jefferson's Cape Tribulation, who prefers softer ground.
Araldur was a Grade Two winner over fences as a novice but that was back in the 2008-09 season. Last campaign was spent competing over hurdles as King felt he needed a confidence boost after breaking his pelvis and he won twice. He returned to chasing with a good effort at Wetherby last month and King feels he deserves his place in the field.
"We were delighted how well Araldur ran on his return to fences at Wetherby, where he was on the heels of the leaders when brought to a standstill by a faller at the second last," he told his website.
"He showed plenty of spirit to battle on for second behind Fistral Beach and, being such a huge horse, Araldur, who had been off since the spring, is sure to come on for that. It is very competitive, but he deserves his shot."
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