Find out who stands their ground in Saturday's bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown

The bet365 Gold Cup (3.32) at Sandown on Saturday has been whittled down to just 26 confirmations from an original entry of 70, with Willie Mullins taking out his nine horses from the feature Grade 3.

Al Boum Photo, Kemboy, Tornado Flyer and Burrows Saint were among those entered from the Closutton stable but they will not be contesting the 3m4½f event.

There are three possible Irish-trained runners left in the race – the Shark Hanlon-trained Hewick, who pulled up in the Midlands National last time, and John McConnell-trained Go Another One and Streets Of Doyen.

Clan Des Obeaux, Bristol De Mai and Threeunderthrufive were other high-profile names not confirmed.

bet365 Gold Cup Handicap Chase (3.32 Sandown Saturday): full card and betting

Last year’s winner Potterman remains on track for a repeat bid while Kitty’s Light, who finished an unlucky second in 2021, and his stablemate and Scottish National conqueror Win My Wings remain in contention. The latter would carry topweight after a stone rise in the handicap for her Ayr success.

Potterman (left): won the bet365 Gold Cup last yearCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Ultima Handicap Chase winner Corach Rambler is another market principal to stand his ground along with Enrilo, while Venetia Williams could run Kim Muir winner Chambard, Quick Wave and Achille, with the last-named needing three horses to come out.

The maximum field is 20 runners with Cap Du Nord, the third of Christian Williams' entries, the last horse to make the cut at this stage.

Envoi Allen in line for Celebration Chase

Henry de Bromhead was the last Irish trainer to win the bet365 Celebration Chase (3.00) with Special Tiara in 2015 and he could run Champion Chase third Envoi Allen in the final Grade 1 of the season in Britain.

Envoi Allen won a sixth top-level prize at Leopardstown over Christmas and was beaten just over 13 lengths by Energumene at Cheltenham. The other eight entries for the £160,000 event include Champion Chase runner-up Funambule Sivola, Nube Negra, Greaneteen and Sceau Royal.

Paul Nicholls could bid for a hat-trick in the bet365 Oaksey Chase (2.25) with Hitman and Saint Calvados, having won the last two runnings with Black Corton and Frodon. Fusil Raffles and Mister Fisher are two possibles for Nicky Henderson, while Michael Scudamore has entered Ayr Future Champion Novices’ Chase scorer Do Your Job.

The Gary Moore-trained Goshen is the highest-rated entry in the similarly sponsored Select Hurdle (4.07) and his rivals could include Aintree winner Langer Dan, Dashel Drasher and Aintree Hurdle third McFabulous.

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