Paddy Power Gold Cup: 22 remain in contention

David Pipe's Grand Crus is likely to start favourite

Grands Crus and Hunt Ball are among 22 confirmations for Saturday's Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham, the first major handicap of the new National Hunt season...

David Pipe's grey disappointed when only fourth in the RSA Chase at the Festival on his final start of last year, but was subsequently reported to be a sick horse.

Hunt Ball was the success story of the season, rising 88 lb in the handicap and finishing third in the Aintree Bowl on his final start of the season for fledgling trainer Keiran Burke.

Paul Nicholls holds a strong hand with Cheltenham regular Poquelin heading the weights while Al Ferof, a Grade 1-winning novice last term, and Aerial also feature.

Nicky Henderson, Nicholls' big rival for the title this season, could run last year's runner-up Quantitativeeasing, Triolo d'Alene, Tanks For That and Nadiya De La Vega.

The Alan King-trained Walkon has been well backed in recent days while Philip Hobbs has Wishfull Thinking and The Disengager among the possibles.

Calgary Bay could be Mick Channon's first runner in a major race since taking over some of Henrietta Knight's string while Forpadydeplasterer is also a possible runner.

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