Sizing John bids to repeat the feat of Kauto Star (pictured) by winning the Cheltenham Gold Cup twice. Pic: Courtesy of Jockey Club Racecourses.
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Reigning Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Sizing John and 32Red King George VI Chase victor Might Bite head 38 entries for the 2018 renewal on March 16.
Might Bite, winner of last year’s RSA Chase at The Festival, heads the betting for the showpiece race of the Cheltenham Festival which this year carries prize money of £625,000.
The final field for the three and a quarter mile showpiece will be revealed at the 48-hour declaration stage, 10.00am, Wednesday, March 14. The maximum number of runners permitted is 24.
The Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup
Grade 1, £625,000 Total Prize Fund. 3.30pm,Cheltenham, Friday, March 16, 2018. Three miles, two and a half furlongs (3m 2f 70y). Scratchings deadline Tuesday, February 13, £27,500 supplementary entry stage & six-day confirmation stage Saturday, March 10. Final 48-hour declaration stage, 10.00am, Wednesday, March 14.
The maximum number of runners – 24.
| Horse | Age | Owner | Trainer |
| ACAPELLA BOURGEOIS (FR) | 8 | Slaneyville Syndicate | Willie Mullins IRE |
| ANIBALE FLY (FR) | 8 | J P McManus | Tony Martin IRE |
| BACHASSON (FR) | 7 | E O’Connell | Willie Mullins IRE |
| BALKO DES FLOS (FR) | 7 | Gigginstown House Stud | Henry de Bromhead IRE |
| BLAKLION | 9 | S Such & CG Paletta | Nigel Twiston-Davies |
| BRISTOL DE MAI (FR) | 7 | Simon Munir & Isaac Souede | Nigel Twiston-Davies |
| CLAN DES OBEAUX (FR) | 6 | Mr & Mrs P Barber, G Mason, Sir A Ferguson | Paul Nicholls |
| CLOUDY DREAM (IRE) | 8 | Trevor Hemmings | Malcolm Jefferson |
| CONEY ISLAND (IRE) | 7 | J P McManus | Eddie Harty IRE |
| CONEYGREE | 11 | The Max Partnership | Mark Bradstock |
| CUE CARD | 12 | Jean Bishop | Colin Tizzard |
| DEFINITLY RED (IRE) | 9 | P J Martin | Brian Ellison |
| DISKO (FR) | 7 | Gigginstown House Stud | Noel Meade IRE |
| DJAKADAM (FR) | 9 | Susannah Ricci | Willie Mullins IRE |
| DOUBLE SHUFFLE (IRE) | 8 | Crossed Fingers Partnership | Tom George |
| EDWULF | 9 | J P McManus | Joseph O’Brien IRE |
| EMPIRE OF DIRT (IRE) | 11 | Gigginstown House Stud | Gordon Elliott IRE |
| KILLULTAGH VIC (IRE) | 9 | Rose Boyd/BAnderson/Mrs MArmstrong | Willie Mullins IRE |
| MALA BEACH (IRE) | 10 | Chris Jones | Gordon Elliott IRE |
| MIGHT BITE (IRE) | 9 | The Knot Again Partnership | Nicky Henderson |
| MINELLA ROCCO (IRE) | 8 | J P McManus | Jonjo O’Neill |
| NATIVE RIVER (IRE) | 8 | Brocade Racing | Colin Tizzard |
| OUR DUKE (IRE) | 8 | Cooper Family Syndicate | Jessica Harrington IRE |
| OUTLANDER (IRE) | 10 | Gigginstown House Stud | Gordon Elliott IRE |
| ROAD TO RESPECT (IRE) | 7 | Gigginstown House Stud | Noel Meade IRE |
| ROCK THE KASBAH (IRE) | 8 | Diana Whateley | Philip Hobbs |
| SAPHIR DU RHEU (FR) | 9 | The Stewart Family | Paul Nicholls |
| SHANTOU FLYER (IRE) | 8 | Carl Hinchy | Richard Hobson |
| SINGLEFARMPAYMENT | 8 | N T Griffith & H M Haddock | Tom George |
| SIZING JOHN | 8 | Ann & Alan Potts Limited | Jessica Harrington IRE |
| SMAD PLACE (FR) | 11 | Mrs Peter Andrews | Alan King |
| SUB LIEUTENANT (IRE) | 9 | Gigginstown House Stud | Henry de Bromhead IRE |
| TEA FOR TWO | 9 | Jane Williams & Len Jakeman | Nick Williams |
| TENOR NIVERNAIS (FR) | 11 | Boultbee Brooks Ltd | Venetia Williams |
| THE LAST SAMURI (IRE) | 10 | Paul & Clare Rooney | Kim Bailey |
| TOTAL RECALL (IRE) | 9 | Slaneyville Syndicate | Willie Mullins IRE |
| VALSEUR LIDO (FR) | 9 | Gigginstown House Stud | Henry de Bromhead IRE |
| WHISPER (FR) | 10 | Walters Plant Hire Ltd | Nicky Henderson |
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