Potential Cheltenham Gold Cup field reduced by four after Tuesday's latest entries stage

Galopin Des Champs's potential opposition in the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup reduced by four after Tuesday's acceptors stage, with key rivals Fact To File, Corbetts Cross and Banbridge remaining on course to take him on.

The two-time Gold Cup hero is no bigger than 4-7 to become the first to complete a hat-trick since Best Mate in 2004 and will not meet stablemates Embassy Gardens or Minella Cocooner after Willie Mullins reduced his challenge to three after the latest scratchings phase.

Gerri Colombe, who was second to Galopin Des Champs last season, was also taken out after sustaining a season-ending setback while King George runner-up Il Est Francais was taken out but remains in the Ryanair and Champion Chase. 

• Is a Gold Cup hat-trick inevitable for Galopin Des Champs? Our experts have their say

All five British-trained Gold Cup hopefuls stood their ground, although Dan Skelton has indicated Grey Dawning is an unlikely runner. The Venetia Williams-trained L'Homme Presse is the shortest home challenger in the betting at no bigger than 20-1 with bet365 and BetVictor.

Il Est Francais: out of the Gold Cup but retains two Cheltenham optionsCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Embassy Gardens was also among six scratched from the Ryanair Chase line-up. The Gold Cup-entered Ahoy Senor and Grey Dawning came out as well as Il Ridoto, Martator and Stage Star. Fact To File, Spillane's Tower and Il Est Francais remain on course for the race.

Six were also removed from the BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase including the Mullins-trained pair of Gentleman de Mee and Blue Lord. Former festival second American Mike was also taken out as well as Kalif du Berlais, Boothill and Martator.

Jonbon heads the Champion Chase betting with Irish challengers Gaelic Warrior, Energumene, Solness and Marine Nationale also confirmed.

Horses scratched from the major Cheltenham Festival chases:

Champion Chase

American Mike
Blue Lord
Boothill
Gentleman De Mee
Kalif Du Berlais
Martator

Ryanair Chase

Ahoy Senor
Embassy Gardens
Grey Dawning
Il Ridoto
Martator
Stage Star

Gold Cup

Embassy Gardens
Gerri Colombe
Il Est Francais
Minella Cocooner

Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup, March 14
Coral: 1-2 Galopin Des Champs, 5 Fact To File, 6 Banbridge, 12 Corbetts Cross, 14 L’Homme Presse, 16 Grangeclare West, Grey Dawning, Monty’s Star, 40 Bar.

Ryanair Chase, March 13
Coral: 6-4 Fact To File, 3 Il Est Francais, 7-2 Gaelic Warrior, 4 Banbridge, 9-2 Protektorat, 5 Spillanes Tower, 7 Energumene, 8 El Fabiolo, 10 Grangeclare West, 12 Found A Fifty, 14 Envoi Allen, 16 Bar.

BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase, March 12
Coral: 4-5 Jonbon, 5 Il Est Francais, 6 Gaelic Warrior, 8 Banbridge, 10 El Fabiolo, Energumene, Solness, 12 Marine Nationale, 25 Matata, 33 Bar.

Read these next:

Is a Gold Cup hat-trick inevitable for Galopin Des Champs? Our experts have their say 

'It's just a privilege to watch him' - Galopin Des Champs owners still on cloud nine after Irish Gold Cup exhibition 

Willie Mullins continued his Dublin Racing Festival domination - but what impact is that likely to have on Cheltenham? 

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