The race takes place at Aintree on Saturday 5 April 2014 and will be a GB£ 1 million race for the first time (total prize money).
Paul Nicholls’ 13-year-old Tidal Bay has been allocated the top weight of 11st 10 lbs, one pound ahead of former Gold Cup winner Long Run (Nicky Henderson).
Last year’s winner Auroras Encore has been retired through injury so cannot defend his crown. But last year’s beaten favourite Sea Bass is entered with a weight of 11st 2 lbs. Teaforthree (third in 2013) is also back with a weight of 10 st 12lbs.
If the race were being run this weekend, given the UK’s current weather, one imagines Tidal Bay (16/1), There’s No Panic (40/1), Storm Survivor (50/1) and Tranquil Sea (100/1) would all be popular for their names.
Full list of weights on the BBC Sports website:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/horse-racing/26135845
