Road To Respect & Kemboy To Do Battle Again in The Irish Gold Cup

Road To Respect & Kemboy To Do Battle Again in The Irish Gold Cup

Road To Respect and Kemboy are among thirteen names still in contention for the Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown on Sunday.

The Willie Mullins-trained Kemboy - who skipped the Ladbrokes Trophy, was an outstanding winner of the Savills Chase over this course and distance last month after a superlative ride from David Mullins.

He will once again come up against Noel Meade's Road To Respect, who could only manage to finish third in that contest, but had a much more restricted passage and was badly hampered on two occasions.

Both will look to enhance their claims for the Cheltenham equivalent in March, having propelled themselves into the frame after decisive wins in major gold cup distance contests.

The 7yo Kemboy - currently unbeaten in his last four, has also won the Clonmel Oil Chase this season, whilst Road To Respect has proved victorious the JNwine.com Champion Chase and the Christmas Chase in the last twelve months.

Ireland's Champion Trainer Mullins also has Savills Chase fourth Bellshill - who could dodge this for a crack at the Irish Grand National, Total Recall and Al Boum Photo in the melting pot for a race he has won a record nine times.

Meanwhile, Gigginstown House Stud will likewise be represented by Gordon Elliott duo Alpha Des Obeaux and old-boy Outlander entered, along with Henry de Bromhead's Ryanair Chase winner Balko Des Flos.

The JP McManus pair of last year's inspirational winner Edwulf - for upcoming trainer Joseph O'Brien, and 2018 English Gold Cup third - Anibale Fly, both remain in contention.

Savills Chase runner-up Monalee is in there too, while Noble Endeavor and Cheltenham Festival winner The Storyteller complete the field.