A thrilling finish to the 2011 renewal saw Long Run power up the famous Cheltenham hill seven lengths clear of 2008 scorer Denman with Kauto Star, the winner in 2007 and 2009, a further four lengths back in third.

However, a reversal of fortunes this season has seen a rejuvenated Kauto Star twice get the better of Long Run, handing him an eight-length defeat in the Betfair Chase at Haydock Park in November before proving a length and a quarter too strong in the King George VI Chase at Kempton Park on Boxing Day, a race the now 12-year-old was winning for a record fifth time.

Kauto Star’s trainer Paul Nicholls has a total of five entries, more than any other handler. The champion trainer could also be represented by What A Friend, a staying-on fourth last year, Tidal Bay, who was sixth last year for his previous trainer Howard Johnson before joining Nicholls this season, five- time Cheltenham scorer Poquelin and The Minack, who has been impressive in winning competitive handicaps at Wincanton and Ascot this season.

In addition to Long Run, Nicky Henderson also has chances of success with Burton Port, who finished one place in front of Long Run when runner-up in the 2010 RSA Chase at The Festival but has been off the course with injury since finishing second in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury in November of the same year and Finian’s Rainbow, who was second in the Arkle Trophy Chase at The Festival in 2011.

No novice chaser has landed the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup since Captain Christy in 1974 but the David Pipe-trained Grands Crus has been handed an option in this year’s race. The seven-year-old was high-class over hurdles, only finding the mighty Big Buck’s too good in last year’s Ladbrokes World Hurdle and has won all three of his starts over fences in great style, most recently taking the Grade One williamhill.com Feltham Novices’ Chase at Kempton Park on Boxing Day.

Bostons Angel
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There are eight Irish-trained entries including the 2011 RSA Chase first and second, Bostons Angel and Jessies Dream. Colm Murphy has entered dual Grade One winner Quito De La Roque while Mouse Morris, who was responsible for the last Irish-trained winner with War Of Attrition in 2006, has entered China Rock. The remaining Irish-trained entries are the Dessie Hughes-trained Magnanimity plus a trio from Irish champion trainer Willie Mullins – Apt Approach, Quel Esprit and The Midnight Club.

Other previous winners at The Festival entered include Albertas Run, who has taken the past two renewals of the Ryanair Chase as well as the 2008 RSA Chase. Last year’s Arkle Trophy Chase hero Captain Chris, who took third behind Kauto Star and Long Run at Kempton last time out, could make the step up in trip, while Junior, successful in the Fulke Walwyn Kim Handicap Chase at The Festival last season, has been entered by David Pipe.

Jonjo O’Neill, trainer of Albertas Run, has another interesting contender in Synchronised. The out- and-out stayer, who has Welsh and Midlands Grand National wins to his name, proved he could mix it with the best when landing the Grade One Lexus Chase at Leopardstown on December 28.

Carruthers has competed in the last two renewals of the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup, finishing fourth in 2010 and ninth last year. The nine-year-old enjoyed the biggest victory of his career in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury in November but needs to bounce back from a disappointing effort at Chepstow last time out in the Welsh National. Mon Mome famously landed the 2009 John Smith’s Grand National at odds of 100/1 and also finished an excellent third in the 2010 Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup. The 2010 Hennessy Gold Cup winner Diamond Harry has always been held in high regard but finished a well-beaten fourth in the Betfair Chase behind Kauto Star on his only start this season.

Midnight Chase
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Other interesting contenders include Halley, trained by Tom George, who landed France’s leading chase for four-year-olds at Auteuil in November (a race won by Long Run in 2009) and Time For Rupert, who disappointed when favourite for last season’s RSA Chase but has been in better from this season, including when second to Weird Al in the Grade Two Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby in October and when defeating The Giant Bolster at Newbury in December. Midnight Chase is a real Cheltenham specialist, having won three competitive handicap chases at the course last season before ending the campaign with a fine fifth in the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup. The 2010 Paddy Power Gold Cup winner Little Josh could represent local handler Nigel Twiston-Davies, while Medermit ran a fine race last time at Cheltenham when runner-up in the Grade Three Spinal Research The Atlantic 4 Gold Cup last month.

Hey Big Spender, Knockara Beau and Wayward Prince complete the entries.