Trainers looking to take advantage of Sprinter Sacre and Sire De Grugy absence

Ireland’s champion trainer Willie Mullins is looking to take advantage of the Group One showpiece being without its last two winners.

The County Carlow handler is three-handed with Ballycasey, Felix Yonger and Twinlight while his brother Tom supplies a fourth Irish possible in dual Cheltenham Festival winner Alderwood.

Paul Nicholls, who has won the race eight times, has put in Dodging Bullets and Hinterland, winner of the Henry VIII Novices’ Chase over the course and distance last year.

The first three home in Exeter’s Haldon Gold Cup – God’s Own, Balder Succes and Oscar Hill – could renew rivalry while the fifth and sixth that day, Pepite Rose and Somersby, have also been given entries. Hinterland was pulled up in that contest.

The enigmatic Mad Moose, who refused to race properly in this 12 months ago, could make his return after his ban from racing because of his antics was lifted.

Claret Cloak, Oscar Whisky, Third Intention, Vukovar, William’s Wishes and Wishfull Thinking complete the entries.

The Tom George-trained God’s Own is still a novice and also holds an entry in the Racing Post Henry VIII Novices’ Chase on the same card, but showed at Exeter that he is up taking on the big boys.

His jockey Paddy Brennan is expecting another bold show at the weekend.

“I’m really looking forward to Saturday. God’s Own is a horse we hold in high regard and everything seems to be right for him,” Brennan told At The Races.

“We are just hoping for a dry week. The better the ground, the better his chance. Good to soft, soft would be perfect.

“I really like this horse. He’s tough, he’s brave and I’m really hoping he can step up to Grade One level.

“He’s been taken along slowly. There’s never a fluke when you win a Grade Two Haldon Gold Cup. He’s proved he’s above average and he’s a horse that can go further.’’