Menorah handed top weight for Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham
Wednesday 5 November 2014 13:37, UK
Bet365 Charlie Hall Chase winner Menorah tops the weights for the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham on Saturday week with 11st 12lb.
The nine-year-old captured the Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle at The Festival in 2010 and recorded his biggest victory over fences at Wetherby last week.
His trainer Philip Hobbs is also responsible for last season's Paddy Power Gold Cup runner-up Colour Squadron (10st 10lb), who is one of seven potential runners for owner J P McManus.
The McManus septet also features Uxizandre (11st 2lb), who annexed the Grade One Manifesto Novices' Chase at Aintree in April, and fascinating Irish contender Shanpallas (10st 5lb).
Shanpallas has been in good form over the summer and was purchased by McManus after a close third to Your Busy in the Kerry National at Listowel in September. It proved a shrewd piece of business as the six-year-old was the decisive winner of the valuable Munster National over three miles at Limerick on October 12, holding off Tom Horn by three quarters of a length.
Trainer Charles Byrnes reported: "I expect Shanpallas will be left in the Paddy Power Gold Cup at the five-day stage but we have made no decision about his participation at the moment. Obviously, J P has several others in the race and I still have to speak to Frank (Berry, racing manager) and the team.
"Shanpallas has been in terrific form since Limerick and I would be keen to run, although the form of that race has not worked out brilliantly.
"I would not be concerned about the drop back in trip as I think he is more of a two and a half miler than a three miler.
"He has been to Cheltenham before but the ground was very heavy that day and he landed quite steep over the first and got behind. He is a different horse on good ground."
There are six other Irish-trained entries, including four for Willie Mullins. The Closutton quartet are dual Festival winner Champagne Fever (11st 2lb), Ballycasey (10st 13lb), who captured the Grade One Dr PJ Moriarty Novice Chase in February, Felix Yonger (10st 10lb) and The Paparrazi Kid (9st 13lb).
Ante-post favourite is the Jamie Snowden-trained Present View (10st 2lb), who took the Listed Rewards4Racing Novices' Handicap Chase at The Festival, and Cheltenham specialist Oscar Whisky (11st), one of five entries for trainer Nicky Henderson.
Last year's Paddy Power Gold Cup victor Johns Spirit has been allotted 11st (he carried 10st 2lb to victory in 2013) and is bidding to become the sixth dual winner and the first since Cyfor Malta (1998 & 2002).
Other notable contenders include impressive Byrne Group Plate scorer Ballynagour (10st 13lb) and recent Ludlow winner Buywise (10st 4lb).
Present View heads the betting with Sky Bet for the race at 7/1, with Johns Spirit and Oscar Whiskey next at 9/1.
