THE superstar chasing triumvirate of Imperial Commander, Kauto Star and Denman head an entry of 34 for the Totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup.
The trio, who between them have won the last four runnings of jumping's most prestigious prize, form the backbone of the potential runners in the £500,000 showpiece.
Imperial Commander, winner of last season's race, is expected to head straight to Cheltenham, same goes for Kauto Star after finishing third in Saturday's King George Chase.
As well as Kauto Star and Denman - who also runs next in the Gold Cup - trainer Paul Nicholls has entered Pride Of Dulcote, The Nightingale, What A Friend, Neptune Collonges and Noland.
Ireland, without a Gold Cup success for five years, have nine potential runners including recent Lexus Chase winner Pandorama.
Trainer Noel Meade said: "Pandorama will hopefully head to Cheltenham providing he is fit and well,although we wouldn't run him on good going. Good to soft ground would be okay and we would love to run him in the Gold Cup.
"He has come out of his victory in the Lexus Chase in very good form and we have always thought that he was capable of winning a big race like that. He would obviously have to improve again to have a chance at Cheltenham but he is still a young chaser.
"The plan is for him to run in the Irish Hennessy at Leopardstown on February 6 and then, fingers crossed, he will go to Cheltenham."
Other high-profile entries include Hennessy Gold Cup winner Diamond Harry, Saturday's Coral Welsh National victor Synchronised and Cheltenham specialist Midnight Chase
BETTING:
Imperial Commander 7/2
Long Run 7/1
Denman 8/1
Diamond Harry 8/1
Kauto Star 10/1
Pandorama 14/1
Pride Of Dulcote 16/1
Midnight Chase 16/1
Punchestowns 25/1
Time For Rupert 25/1
Sizing Europe 28/1
Joncol 33/1
What A Friend 33/1
Cooldine 40/1
Weird Al 50/1
Planet Of Sound 50/1
Tidal Bay 50/1
Synchronised 50/1
Neptune Collonges 66/1
Carruthers 66/1
Kempes 66/1
Money Trix 66/1
China Rock 66/1
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