Pinsticker's choice:
1 War of Attrition 2 One Knight 3 Hedgehunter
By Honest Frank

2 5735 BALLYCASSIDY 10 11-10
Peter Bowen Graham Lee
Eighth last year. Disappointing this season although bounced back to form when fifth in the Racing Post Chase. Price will shorten if conditions are dry.
Rating: 5/10 Odds: 66-1

3 -211 BEEF OR SALMON 10 11-10
Michael Hourigan Paul Carberry
Class horse, but has never won outside Ireland. Has failed three times in the Gold Cup to make the frame, and is running out of excuses at Cheltenham.
Rating: 6/10 Odds: 5-1

4 137- CELESTIAL GOLD 8 11-10
Martin Pipe Timmy Murphy
Has been rested since coming seventh in last year's Gold Cup, one of the few big races champion trainer Martin Pipe has not won. Long lay-off a concern.
Rating: 6/10 Odds: 66-1

5 2-33 CORNISH REBEL 9 11-10
Paul Nicholls Joe Tizzard
Full brother to triple Gold Cup winner Best Mate. Excellent run under heavy weight to finish third in Welsh Grand National.
Rating: 7/10 Odds: 16-1

6 3311 FORGET THE PAST 8 11-10
Michael O'Brien Barry Geraghty
Jockey won Gold Cup on Kicking King in 2005 and sounds confident. Horse has won twice since bursting a blood vessel behind Beef or Salmon at Leopardstown in December. Disappointed on only previous run at Cheltenham.
Rating: 6/10 Odds: 18-1

7 -042 HEDGEHUNTER 10 11-10
Willie Mullins Ruby Walsh
Ruby Walsh stays loyal to Grand National winner, ahead of Cornish Rebel. Cosy winner at Aintree and boasts genuine each-way claims.
Rating: 8/10 Odds: 16-1

8 112F IRIS'S GIFT 9 11-10
Jonjo O'Neill Tony McCoy
Former champion staying hurdler is much better over the smaller obstacles and novice chasers have a poor record in the Gold Cup. Trainer famously won the race 20 years ago on Dawn Run.
Rating: 6/10 Odds: 20-1

9 00-0 IZNOGOUD 10 11-10
Martin Pipe Tom Scudamore
The name says it all as far as his chances in this race are concerned. Finished 14th, 12th and 11th on last three runs.
Rating: 4/10 Odds: 200-1

10 U044 JOES EDGE 9 11-10
Ferdy Murphy Keith Mercer
Won Scottish National last year and should go better than his price suggests, especially if the rain stays away.
Rating: 6/10 Odds: 100-1

11 21P2 KINGSCLIFF 9 11-10
Robert Alner Robert Walford
Missed the last two Gold Cups through injury when well fancied. Talented but inconsistent. Trainer won the big race in 1998 with Cool Dawn.
Rating: 6/10 Odds: 9-1

12 3242 L'AMI 7 11-10
Francois Doumen Mick Fitzgerald
Caught the eye when second in Racing Post Chase. Shrewd French trainer won Gold Cup with The Fellow in 1994.
Rating: 6/10 Odds: 9-1

13 P-54 LIMERICK BOY 8 11-10
Venetia Williams Sam Thomas
Not without talent but seems better suited to right-handed tracks. Owned by syndicate including golfers Sam Torrance and Laura Davies.
Rating: 5/10 Odds: 100-1

14 -P02 LORD OF ILLUSION 9 11-10
Tom George Jason Maguire
The Grand National in April looks his main target. Could plug on past beaten horses. Locally trained in Cotswold village of Slad, where Cider With Rosie author Laurie Lee was born.
Rating: 6/10 Odds: 50-1

15 2242 MONKERHOSTIN 9 11-10
Philip Hobbs Richard Johnson
Vastly improved performer, came second to Kicking King in King George. Good Cheltenham record, including Coral Cup win at 2004 Festival. Worry he may not see out the trip.
Rating: 7/10 Odds: 6-1

16 1764 OLLIE MAGERN 8 11-10
Nigel Twiston-Davies Carl Llewellyn
His Gold Cup odds tumbled after claiming the Charlie Hall Chase in October. But a hat-trick of duff displays since have seen them drift back out.
Rating: 6/10 Odds: 25-1

17 1-FU ONE KNIGHT 10 11-10
Philip Hobbs Paddy Brennan
Interesting individual who will have an outstanding chance if his jumping holds up. Likely to either fall or be placed.
Rating: 8/10 Odds: 22-1

18 5152 ROYAL AUCLAIR 9 11-10
Paul Nicholls Christian Williams
Fourth in last year's Gold Cup and second in the Grand National. Would be boosted by good ground.
Rating: 6/10 Odds: 25-1

19 -P21 ROYAL EMPEROR 10 11-10
Sue Smith Dominic Elsworth
Earned his place after winning the Rendlesham Hurdle. Wet weather would help this mudlark.
Rating: 6/10 Odds: 50-1

20 PF23 SIR REMBRANDT 10 11-10
Robert Alner Andrew Thornton
Must merit respect as has finished second and third in the Gold Cup in previous years. Has chances of making the frame, without winning.
Rating: 7/10 Odds: 33-1

21 362U TAKE THE STAND 10 11-10
Peter Bowen Tony Dobbin
Second to Kicking King in the 2005 Gold Cup. Thrives on good ground.
Rating: 6/10 Odds: 14-1

22 1-20 TIKRAM 9 11-10
Gary Moore Jamie Moore
Previous Cheltenham Festival winner who has some useful handicap form but unlikely to cope with this step up in class.
Rating: 5/10 Odds: 100-1

24 1152 WAR OF ATTRITION 7 11-10
Mouse Morris Conor O'Dwyer
Owned by Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary. Beat 2005 Gold Cup winner Kicking King at Punchestown earlier in the season. Potential to improve.
Rating: 8/10 Odds: 11-1