National hopefuls set for Haydock

They include the 2000 Grand National and Irish Grand National winners Papillon and Commanche Court.

The £100,000 De Vere Gold Cup -- the richest handicap chase of the National Hunt season so far -- will take place before an anticipated near capacity crowd at Haydock, while the race will also be broadcast live on BBC1.

In all, 49 horses -- 36 of which hold entries for the Grand National on April 7 -- have been entered for the race. Among them are all the fancied runners for Aintree, as well as several which could play a big part in the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Seven of the entries come from Ireland, including Rince Ri and Alexander Banquet who are bound for the Blue Riband at Prestbury Park in March.

All the leading English fancies for the Grand National, including current favourites Young Kenny and Nobel Lord, are also in the Haydock showpiece.

Adding extra spice to the list is Haydock Park's own racehorse, Streamstown, trained by Ferdy Murphy in Yorkshire, which has strung together a winning sequence of three races including ones at Haydock and Aintree.

Haydock Park's general manager, Adam Waterworth said: "The elite of long-distance steeplechasing has been entered for Haydock's top race of the jump racing season, reinforcing the De Vere Gold Cup as the premier trial race for the Grand National. I am particularly pleased with the quality of the entries from Ireland which, of course, include trainer Ted Walsh's English and Irish Grand National winners".

Bill Gosling, sales and marketing director of De Vere Hotels, added: "I am delighted that such a strong entry has been made for this prestigious race. It has all the makings of a spectacular sporting event which so many people will enjoy, both those at Haydock and those watching on television".

Entries for the three-mile four-furlong De Vere Gold Cup will be confirmed on Monday, February 19.