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The Grade Three Spinal Research The Atlantic 4 Gold Cup, one of the highlights on day two of The International at Cheltenham, Saturday, has 23 horses going forward at today's confirmation stage.
Run over two miles and five furlongs on the New Course at Cheltenham, the Spinal Research The Atlantic 4 Gold Cup could see a rematch between Great Endeavour and Quantitativeeasing, who were separated by seven lengths when filling the first two places in the Grade Three Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham on November 12.
Great Endeavour is one of four possible starters for trainer David Pipe along with I'msingingtheblues, who finished fourth in the Grade One Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown Park on Saturday, Mathui and Salut Flo.
Pipe said today: “I left four in the Spinal Research The Atlantic 4 Gold Cup and the intention is to run them all if possible.
“Great Endeavour won the Paddy Power Gold Cup and then two weeks later ran in the Hennessy and now a further two weeks on is going to run at Cheltenham, which is not ideal, but he seems well at home and it looks likely he will take his chance.
“I'msingingtheblues ran a cracking race in the Tingle Creek. Both Great Endeavour and I'msingingtheblues will like the better ground at Cheltenham and so will Mathui. Salut Flo has been off a long time and he is the one who would appreciate some rain before the weekend.”
Quantitativeeasing is trained by Nicky Henderson, who has also left in Nadiya De La Vega, impressive on his seasonal reappearance when scoring by 10 lengths at Haydock Park on November 18.
Henderson revealed today: “Both of mine are J P's (owner J P McManus) and I would have thought only one of them will run and that is most likely to be Quantitativeeasing.
“He ran a great race in the Paddy Power Gold Cup and has been very well since. I could have done without him going up 3lb in the ratings but otherwise I am happy with the horse.”
The weights for the Spinal Research The Atlantic 4 Gold Cup are now headed by the Paul Nicholls-trained Woolcombe Folly, following the expected defection of original top weight Poquelin.
Sponsors the Stewart Family still have three contenders to choose from - Grade Two winners Ghizao (who is jointly owned by the Johnson Family) and Tatenen, as well as Nomecheki.
The Irish, last successful with Sir Oj in 2005, have three hopes going forward - Grade Two scorer Roberto Goldback, recent Naas winner Quel Esprit and Finger Onthe Pulse, who landed the 2010 Galway Plate.
Other leading contenders include Victor Dartnall's progressive performer Roudoudou Ville, Paddy Power Gold Cup third Divers and Medermit, a Grade One winner last season for Alan King.
Day two of The International also features the £130,000 Grade Two StanJames.com International (3.05pm), a leading trial for the Stan James Champion Hurdle. Entries for this contest have been re-opened until 11.00am tomorrow.
Action gets underway at 12.10pm with the £16,000 JCB Triumph Hurdle Trial (12 entries) and also features the £20,000 Ryman The Stationer Novices' Chase (12.45pm, 12 entries), the £25,000 Jenny Mould Memorial Handicap Chase (1.20pm, 13 entries), the £21,500 Grade Two Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle (1.55pm, 13 entries) and the concluding Grade Two £30,000 Unicoin Homes Relkeel Hurdle (3.35pm, 10 entries).