Best Mate is chasing a fourth Gold Cup in a row

The Henrietta Knight-trained horse heads the 27 remaining entries for this year's race on 18 March.

He will again be opposed by Sir Rembrandt, who was second in 2004, as well as Beef Or Salmon.

The Michael Hourigan-trained horse beat Best Mate in the Lexus Chase in Leopardstown in December.

Best Mate was later found to have had a virus.

Former Stayers' Hurdle hero Iris's Gift, who was taken out of the Gold Cup on Wednesday, will instead return to smaller obstacles.

The eight-year-old, trained by Jonjo O'Neill, made his debut over fences at Lingfield on Saturday but trailed in last in the Totesport Chase.

Owner Bob Lester told the Racing Post newspaper: "We're not going to pursue the Gold Cup as we haven't got time.

"We will be back next year, the Gold Cup dream is still alive.

"We'll look at Aintree and Punchestown for the same hurdle races that he ran in last year, and then start novice chasing next year," Lester said.

Last year's winner Hardy Eustace and the 2003 winner Rooster Booster are among the 21 entries still engaged in the Smurfit Champion Hurdle, the highlight of the opening day of the four-day Festival.

There are 12 horses still in contention for the Queen Mother Champion Chase on 16 March, including last year's winner Azertyuiop and rivals Moscow Flyer and Well Chief.