Star heads 24 hopefuls for Gold Cup

Paul Nicholls' stable star is a hot favourite for the three-mile-two-furlong contest after winning each of his five starts this term.

The Jonjo O'Neill-trained Exotic Dancer is the general second favourite and he also stands his ground while Robert Alner's The Listener also features among the confirmations.

There are no surprise withdrawals from the Grade One feature, with other leading fancies L'Ami, State Of Play, Beef Or Salmon and My Will in the list.

The latter is also trained by Nicholls and the Ditcheat handler has a third sting to his bow in Neptune Collonges.

Henrietta Knight's Racing Demon and the David Pipe-trained Our Vic are still in the race, although respective connections have indicated that the Ryanair Chase could be a more likely target.

Michael O'Brien has taken out In Compliance as expected but he still has Forget The Past in the line up while Welsh National winner Halcon Genelardais is a possible for Alan King.

Billyvoddan, Bob Bob Bobbin, Cane Brake, Crozan, Idle Talk, Kill Devil Hill, Kingscliff, Monkerhostin, Turpin Green and Grand National favourite Nil Desperandum are also entered while rank outsiders Marble Garden and Sybellius d'Artaix complete the possibles.