Galopin Des Champs is one of 13 confirmations for the Boodles Gold Cup on Friday, as he seeks to defend his Cheltenham crown.

Willie Mullins’ star got the better of Bravemansgame last year, with the Paul Nicholls-trained runner-up on course to renew rivalry next week.

Martin Brassil’s Fastorslow is another leading contender for Ireland, having twice accounted for Galopin Des Champs since the Gold Cup, although he had to settle for second place in the Irish Gold Cup at the Dublin Racing Festival.

Shishkin is all set for Nicky Henderson, who was left wondering what might have been when his former crack two-miler slipped on landing when leading in the King George VI Chase.

Bargain-buy Hewick swept home to win the Kempton showpiece and has been kept fresh by Shark Hanlon.

Gordon Elliott’s Gerri Colombe was second to Patrick Neville’s The Real Whacker in the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase last season and they both feature, as does Gentlemansgame for Mouse Morris, who struck with War Of Attrition in 2006.

L’Homme Presse is right in contention for Venetia Williams and Charlie Deutsch, after a winning return from the sidelines at Lingfield and an encouraging prep over a trip short of his best in the Ascot Chase.

Deutsch said: “I’m looking forward to it. Although things weren’t suitable for him at Ascot – the distance and the way the race was run – he didn’t feel completely at his best that day and still did fine.

“I think his prep is all going well so far. I haven’t sat on him, but Jess who rides him at home knows him well and says he is going along OK.

“It’s nice to know he can do it at Cheltenham and over the distance and he will be suited by going back up in trip.

“It’s a Gold Cup, so that’s the unknown – you are going up against the best. I just hope he runs well and wherever he comes, he has run to his full potential.”

Monkfish is still in for Mullins, with Lucinda Russell being represented by Grand National hero Corach Rambler. Jungle Boogie and Nassalam complete the contenders.

Ahoy Senor, Conflated and Protektorat were the three withdrawals at the confirmation stage.

CHELTENHAM ENTRIES FOR FRIDAY, MARCH 15th

Latest Going: Good to Soft, Soft in places (for New Course used on Friday)

Weather Outlook: It was dry Tuesday – Friday this week. Dry forecast during the day today and then showers moving in later in the evening, overnight and into Sunday (5-8mm). Monday - Wednesday next week now look largely dry with some uncertainty when the next rain band arrives on Thursday. Daytime temperatures of 10-11 degrees with overnights of 4-8 degrees.

1:30pm JCB Triumph Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m 179y

Bunting (FR) 4 11 2 Tony Bloom W. P. Mullins Ireland

Ethical Diamond (IRE) 4 11 2 H. O. S. Syndicate W. P. Mullins Ireland

Fratas (IRE) 4 10 9 Mr R. McMahon Michael Mulvany Ireland

Highwind (FR) 4 11 2 Mrs Audrey Turley W. P. Mullins Ireland

Ithaca's Arrow 4 11 2 The Agincourt Partnership Dominic Ffrench Davis

Kargese (FR) 4 10 9 Mr K. Alexander W. P. Mullins Ireland

Liari (FR) 4 11 2 Neil Smith & Alfie Smith Paul Nicholls

Majborough (FR) 4 11 2 Mr John P. McManus W. P. Mullins Ireland

Mighty Bandit (IRE) 4 11 2 Jim and Claire Limited Warren Greatrex

Nurburgring (IRE) 4 11 2 Bronsan Racing Joseph Patrick O'Brien Ireland

Peking Opera (IRE) 4 11 2 S. Packham, A. Austin and B. Austin Gary Moore

Salvator Mundi (FR) 4 11 2 Mrs J. Donnelly W. P. Mullins Ireland

Salver (FR) 4 11 2 Mr Keith Graves Gary Moore

Sir Gino (FR) 4 11 2 Mrs J Donnelly Nicky Henderson

Storm Heart (FR) 4 11 2 Gigginstown House Stud W. P. Mullins Ireland

Szafran (FR) 4 11 2 Mr J. Grassick James Grassick France Ellis Collier

16 confirmations

2:10pm BetMGM County Hurdle (Premier Handicap) 2m 179y

Pied Piper 6 12 0 Mrs M. Roden & Mrs R. Nolan Gordon Elliott Ireland

Fils d'Oudairies (FR) 9 11 8 Mr David Lestrange Gordon Elliott Ireland

Zenta (FR) 5 11 3 Mr John P. McManus W. P. Mullins Ireland

Magical Zoe (IRE) 6 11 2 Patrick & Scott Bryceland Henry de Bromhead Ireland

Encanto Bruno (IRE) 6 11 1 Mr D. Kierans Gavin Cromwell Ireland

Hansard (IRE) 6 11 0 Noel Fehily Racing Syndicates Hansard Gary Moore

King of Kingsfield (IRE) 6 10 12 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott Ireland

Party Central (IRE) 8 10 12 Bective Stud Gordon Elliott Ireland

Quai de Bourbon (FR) 5 10 12 Gigginstown House Stud W. P. Mullins Ireland

Westport Cove (FR) 6 10 11 Mr Cathal Hughes W. P. Mullins Ireland

Bialystok (IRE) 6 10 11 Mrs S. Ricci W. P. Mullins Ireland

Absurde (FR) 6 10 10 H. O. S. Syndicate W. P. Mullins Ireland

Risk Belle (FR) 5 10 9 Mr John P. McManus W. P. Mullins Ireland

Aucunrisque (FR) 8 10 9 Goodwin Racing Ltd Chris Gordon

What's Up Darling (IRE) 7 10 9 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott Ireland

Gin Coco (FR) 8 10 8 David's Partnership Harry Fry

Petit Tonnerre (FR) 6 10 8 Mr John P. McManus Jonjo O'Neill

Faivoir (FR) 9 10 8 Mrs Suzanne Lawrence Dan Skelton

L'Eau du Sud (FR) 6 10 7 Sir A Ferguson G Mason J Hales & L Hales Dan Skelton Harry Skelton

Knickerbockerglory (IRE) 8 10 7 Chelsea Thoroughbreds - Knickerbocker Dan Skelton

Impose Toi (FR) 6 10 6 Mr John P. McManus Nicky Henderson

Ocastle des Mottes (FR) 5 10 5 Mr Simon Munir/Mr Isaac Souede W. P. Mullins Ireland

So Scottish (FR) 7 10 5 Mr John P. McManus Emmet Mullins Ireland

Sans Bruit (FR) 6 10 4 Mr Andy Peake Paul Nicholls

Ascending (IRE) 5 10 4 C. Jones Henry de Bromhead Ireland

Parramount 8 10 4 Andrew Fox-Pitt Charlie Longsdon

Playful Saint (FR) 9 10 3 Mr and Mrs J. D. Cotton Dan Skelton

Teddy Blue (GER) 6 10 3 Hale Sargent Evans Clifton Gary Moore

Altobelli (IRE) 6 10 3 Charlie Walker and Jonny Craib Harry Fry

Samui 5 10 2 Mr Allan Snow Gordon Elliott Ireland

By Your Side 5 10 1 Mr Kieron Gammell Gordon Elliott Ireland

Go Dante 8 10 1 Mrs Barbara Hester Olly Murphy

Afadil (FR) 5 10 1 Mr P. J. Vogt Paul Nicholls

Black Bamboo (IRE) 7 10 0 Threedownoneup Syndicate John Joseph Murphy Ireland

Kihavah 7 9 13 JAB Adrian Keatley

Nibiru (IRE) 9 9 13 Mr John Breslin A. J. Martin Ireland

Panjari (IRE) 6 9 13 Neil Smith & Alfie Smith Paul Nicholls

Media Naranja (IRE) 5 9 12 Bective Stud Gordon Elliott Ireland

Bad (FR) 5 9 12 Mr D. P. Howden Ben Pauling

Mr Freedom 5 9 11 The Affordable (3) Partnership Sheena West

Jason The Militant (IRE) 10 9 9 Mr G. Nicholson Philip Kirby

Norman Fletcher 5 9 8 Rushmoor Stud & Mario Stavrou Nigel Twiston-Davies

Moveit Like Minnie (IRE) 7 9 8 Mr F. J. Mills Nigel Twiston-Davies

Rare Middleton 5 9 7 Bryan Drew and Diana L Whateley Paul Nicholls

Zanndabad (IRE) 5 9 3 Mr P. Davies A. J. Martin Ireland

45 confirmations

2:50pm Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle 2m 7f 213y

Answer To Kayf 8 11 7 Mr Denis A. O'Connor Terence O'Brien Ireland

Butcher Hollow (IRE) 5 11 7 Ciaran John Mooney/John Francis Ryan Thomas Cooper Ireland

Captain Teague (IRE) 6 11 7 Mrs Johnny de la Hey Paul Nicholls Harry Cobden

Chigorin (IRE) 6 11 7 Mr P. Davies Henry de Bromhead Ireland

Croke Park (IRE) 6 11 7 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott Ireland

Dancing City (FR) 7 11 7 Mrs J. Donnelly W. P. Mullins Ireland

Dripsey Moon (IRE) 7 11 7 Mr J. Fyffe John McConnell Ireland

Gidleigh Park 6 11 7 The Eyre Family Harry Fry

Great Pepper (FR) 6 11 7 Mills Racing Syndicate ONE James Moffatt

High Class Hero 7 11 7 Sullivan B'Stock Ltd/N Hughes/P Crowley W. P. Mullins Ireland

Johnnywho (IRE) 7 11 7 Mr John P. McManus Jonjo O'Neill

Lecky Watson (IRE) 6 11 7 Slaneyville Syndicate W. P. Mullins Ireland

Mercurey (FR) 6 11 7 Mrs S. Ricci W. P. Mullins Ireland

My Trump Card (IRE) 6 11 7 Bective Stud Gordon Elliott Ireland

O'Moore Park (IRE) 7 11 7 Mrs S. Ricci W. P. Mullins Ireland

Readin Tommy Wrong (IRE) 6 11 7 Mr Simon Munir/Mr Isaac Souede W. P. Mullins Ireland

Search For Glory (IRE) 7 11 7 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott Ireland

Shanagh Bob (IRE) 6 11 7 Mrs J Donnelly Nicky Henderson

Spread Boss Ted 7 11 7 Mr R. S. Brookhouse W. P. Mullins Ireland

Stellar Story (IRE) 7 11 7 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott Ireland

The Jukebox Man (IRE) 6 11 7 Mr Harry Redknapp Ben Pauling

Will Do (IRE) 7 11 7 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott Ireland

22 confirmations

3:30pm Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup (Grade 1) 3m 2f 70y

Bravemansgame (FR) 9 11 10 Bryan Drew Paul Nicholls Harry Cobden

Corach Rambler (IRE) 10 11 10 The Ramblers Lucinda Russell

Fastorslow (FR) 8 11 10 Sean & Bernardine Mulryan Martin Brassil Ireland

Galopin des Champs (FR) 8 11 10 Mrs Audrey Turley W. P. Mullins Ireland

Gentlemansgame 8 11 10 Robcour M. F. Morris Ireland

Gerri Colombe (FR) 8 11 10 Robcour Gordon Elliott Ireland

Hewick (IRE) 9 11 10 Mr T. J. McDonald John Joseph Hanlon Ireland

Jungle Boogie (IRE) 10 11 10 Mr Malcolm C. Denmark Henry de Bromhead Ireland

L'homme Presse (FR) 9 11 10 DFA Racing (Pink & Edwards) Venetia Williams

Monkfish (IRE) 10 11 10 Mrs S. Ricci W. P. Mullins Ireland

Nassalam (FR) 7 11 10 John and Yvonne Stone Gary Moore

Shishkin (IRE) 10 11 10 Mrs J Donnelly Nicky Henderson

The Real Whacker (IRE) 8 11 10 Neville, Mann, Duffus, Dennis-Price Patrick Neville

13 confirmations

4:10pm 3St. James's Place Festival Hunters' Chase 3m 2f 70y

Billaway (IRE) 12 12 0 The Turner Family W. P. Mullins Ireland

D'Jango (FR) 11 12 0 Miss Sarah A. Dawson Miss V. Collins

Ferns Lock 7 12 0 R. Nicholas D. M. Christie Ireland

From The Heart (IRE) 10 12 0 Mrs Sarah Spottiswoode Mrs L. Jones

Its On The Line (IRE) 7 12 0 Mr John P. McManus Emmet Mullins Ireland

Premier Magic (IRE) 11 12 0 Mr Julian Sherriff Bradley Gibbs Mr Bradley Gibbs

Quintin's Man 7 12 0 The High Rollers J. Heard Mr Darren Andrews

Ramillies (IRE) 9 12 0 Ramillies & Christie Family Syndicate D. M. Christie Ireland

Samcro (IRE) 12 12 0 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott Ireland

Secret Investor 12 12 0 Mr C. J. Hitchings Paul Nicholls Miss Natalie Parker

Shantou Flyer (IRE) 14 12 0 Mr Paul Nicholls S. Loxton

Sine Nomine 8 11 7 Mr R. Tate Fiona Needham

Time Leader (IRE) 10 12 0 G&S Capper M&C Kennerley M Loran Miss Hannah Roach

Vaucelet (FR) 9 12 0 Samuel John Hegarty/Miss Jennifer O'Kane D. M. Christie Ireland

14 confirmations

4:50pm Mrs Paddy Power Mares' Chase (Grade 2) 2m 4f 127y

Allegorie de Vassy (FR) 7 11 5 Mrs S. Ricci W. P. Mullins Ireland

Brides Hill (IRE) 7 11 2 Brides Hill Syndicate Gavin Cromwell Ireland

Carole's Pass (FR) 6 11 2 Charles Auld & Partner Amy Murphy Jack Quinlan

Dinoblue (FR) 7 11 7 Mr John P. McManus W. P. Mullins Ireland

Fantastic Lady (FR) 9 11 2 Mr E. R. Hanbury Nicky Henderson

Harmonya Maker (FR) 7 11 5 Mr T. O'Driscoll Gordon Elliott Ireland

Instit (FR) 6 11 2 Bruton Street Partnership W. P. Mullins Ireland

Kestrel Valley 10 11 2 Mrs Jan Johnson Nigel Twiston-Davies

Limerick Lace (IRE) 7 11 2 Mr John P. McManus Gavin Cromwell Ireland

Marsh Wren 8 11 2 Far Bihoue Partnership Stuart Edmunds

Pink Legend 10 11 2 Mr Francis Mahon Venetia Williams

Riviere d'Etel (FR) 7 11 2 Bective Stud Gordon Elliott Ireland

12 confirmations

5:30pm Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle 2m 4f 56y

Maxxum (IRE) 7 11 12 Mr P. Rabbitt Gordon Elliott Ireland

Magic Tricks (FR) 8 11 12 Mr John P. McManus Gordon Elliott Ireland

Hollow Games (IRE) 8 11 11 Bective Stud Gordon Elliott Ireland

Search For Glory (IRE) 7 11 10 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott Ireland

Encanto Bruno (IRE) 6 11 10 Mr D. Kierans Gavin Cromwell Ireland

Sonigino (FR) 7 11 10 Sir A Ferguson G Mason J Hales & L Hales Paul Nicholls Freddie Gingell

Finest Evermore (IRE) 8 11 9 The Turner Family P. Hennessy Ireland

Stellar Story (IRE) 7 11 8 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott Ireland

Western Fold (IRE) 5 11 7 Weld-Spec (Glasgow) Ltd/Dee L'Estrange Gordon Elliott Ireland

No Ordinary Joe (IRE) 8 11 7 Mr John P. McManus Nicky Henderson

Quai de Bourbon (FR) 5 11 7 Gigginstown House Stud W. P. Mullins Ireland

Better Days Ahead (IRE) 6 11 7 Bective Stud Gordon Elliott Ireland

Jay Jay Reilly (IRE) 8 11 6 Mr John J Reilly Dan Skelton Tristan Durrell

Spirit d'Aunou (FR) 5 11 6 Heart of the South Racing 130 Gary Moore

Built By Ballymore (IRE) 6 11 6 Sean & Bernardine Mulryan Martin Brassil Ireland

Yeats Star (IRE) 5 11 5 Mr B. Mannion Gordon Elliott Ireland

Answer To Kayf 8 11 4 Mr Denis A. O'Connor Terence O'Brien Ireland

What's Up Darling (IRE) 7 11 4 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott Ireland

Anyharminasking (IRE) 7 11 3 Mrs Gay Smith Jonjo O'Neill

Angels Breath (IRE) 10 11 3 Walters Plant Hire & Ronnie Bartlett Sam Thomas

Stuzzikini (IRE) 6 11 3 Vcs Ltd & Francis Foran Gordon Elliott Ireland

Presentandcounting (IRE) 10 11 2 The Turner Family Donald McCain

The Wallpark (IRE) 6 11 2 Mr F. Mangan Gordon Elliott Ireland

Shanbally Kid (IRE) 7 11 1 Gigginstown House Stud W. P. Mullins Ireland

Lombron (FR) 5 11 0 Roaringwater Syndicate W. P. Mullins Ireland

Waterford Whispers (IRE) 6 11 0 Mr John P. McManus Henry de Bromhead Ireland

Ocastle des Mottes (FR) 5 11 0 Mr Simon Munir/Mr Isaac Souede W. P. Mullins Ireland

Sequestered (IRE) 6 10 13 Paul Lyons/T.C.Quinn Paul John Gilligan Ireland

Doddiethegreat (IRE) 8 10 13 Mr K. Alexander Nicky Henderson

Rambo T (IRE) 7 10 12 Mpb Contractors Limited Olly Murphy

Will Do (IRE) 7 10 12 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott Ireland

Teddy Blue (GER) 6 10 12 Hale Sargent Evans Clifton Gary Moore

Mel Monroe (IRE) 6 10 12 KTDA Racing Gordon Elliott Ireland

Samui 5 10 11 Mr Allan Snow Gordon Elliott Ireland

Bingoo 8 10 11 Kevin & Anne Glastonbury and Neil Bibby James Moffatt

Fiveonefive (IRE) 6 10 10 Salvatore Giannini/Tony Lagan Cian Collins Ireland

Making Headway (IRE) 6 10 10 Mr Malcolm B. Jones Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Go Dante 8 10 10 Mrs Barbara Hester Olly Murphy

The Tide Turns 6 10 9 Let's Go Partnership Gordon Elliott Ireland

Black Bamboo (IRE) 7 10 9 Threedownoneup Syndicate John Joseph Murphy Ireland

Bad (FR) 5 10 7 Mr D. P. Howden Ben Pauling

Thanksforthehelp (FR) 7 10 6 Mr John P. McManus David Pipe

Shared 5 10 6 Mr Colm Donlon Harry Derham

Idy Wood (FR) 6 10 6 Mr Erik Penser & Mr G Lennart Perlhagen Jamie Snowden

Jason The Militant (IRE) 10 10 4 Mr G. Nicholson Philip Kirby

Welsh Charger (IRE) 6 10 4 Jones, Spiers & Hartwell Alastair Ralph

Russian Ruler (IRE) 7 10 3 Unique Financial Racing Partnership Nicky Henderson

Zanndabad (IRE) 5 9 12 Mr P. Davies A. J. Martin Ireland

48 confirmations