Al Boum Photo heads trio of previous winners among 31 Gold Cup entries

Previous winners Al Boum Photo, Native River and Sizing John are among 31 entries for the Magners Cheltenham Gold Cup on March 13.

Al Boum Photo provided Willie Mullins with a first win in the blue riband event last season after several near-misses and he looked as good as ever when winning on his seasonal return at Tramore.

Mullins has several other strong strings to his bow in the shape of Kemboy, who beat Al Boum Photo at Punchestown last year, Bellshill and Real Steel.

Native River, who finished fourth last year and third in 2017 as well as winning in 2018, has only run once this term when strolling home in the Many Clouds Chase at Aintree.

He is trained by Colin Tizzard who has also entered Lostintranslation, the Betfair Chase winner who disappointed in the King George at Christmas.

Sizing John fell over hurdles on New Year’s Eve as he returned from over 700 days on the sidelines, but trainer Jessica Harrington has entered the 2017 victor this time around.

Clan Des Obeaux won the King George for a second time on Boxing Day and is Paul Nicholls’ big hope. The champion trainer has also entered last year’s Ryanair winner Frodon.

Nicky Henderson’s Santini is prominent in the ante-post lists despite scrambling home at Sandown on his only outing so far this season.

Gordon Elliott’s leading contender is Delta Work, who bounced back to his best over Christmas when winning the Savills Chase at Leopardstown.

Presenting Percy, Monalee and Road To Respect are also in the mix.