Happy Diva was brought down when going well in the 2018 BetVictor Gold Cup, but gained rich compensation in the prestigious G3 handicap chase earlier this month with a battling success under conditional rider Richard Patrick.

The eight-year-old mare has the chance to become the fourth horse to win both the BetVictor Gold Cup and Caspian Caviar Gold Cup in the same season, following Pegwell Bay (1988), Senor El Betrutti (1997) and Exotic Dancer (2006).

Trainer Kerry Lee said: "Happy Diva has come out of the BetVictor Gold Cup in good form. "We were delighted with the performance and it was fantastic to see her win a big race like that. "She has been entered in the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup and that race is a possible target. "At this stage, the race is an option and we will make a firm decision nearer the time."

Richard Patrick holds the BetVictor Gold Cup following Happy Diva's success Cepage chased home subsequent G1 Ryanair Chase hero Frodon in last year's Caspian Caviar Gold Cup and the seven-year-old will attempt to go one better.

Trained by Venetia Williams, Cepage did not race for the remainder of last season, but reappeared this term with a good second behind Riders Onthe Storm (Nigel Twiston-Davies) in a valuable handicap chase at Aintree on 9 November.

Williams said: "Cepage shaped really well at Aintree when finishing second. "He had been off the track for 11 months after sustaining a tendon injury last year in the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup.

That race is again the plan with him. "He has run some great races in defeat and it would be great if he could get his head in front in a race like this."

Frodon's trainer Paul Nicholls is the most successful handler in the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup with five wins.

Aside from Brelan D'As, Nicholls has also engaged impressive Ascot scorer Capeland, Secret Investor and Magic Saint.

Nicky Henderson has seven entries, the most of any trainer.

They include O O Seven, who has not been seen since plundering a valuable handicap chase at the Punchestown Festival, and talented mare Casablanca Mix.

Willie Mullins is responsible for both of the Irish-trained entries - multiple G2 victor Acapella Bourgeois and second season chaser Robin des Foret. Guitar Pete (Nicky Richards) landed the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup in 2017 and could attempt to become the third multiple winner of the race, following Poquelin (2009 & 2010) and Frodon (2016 & 2018).

Other eye-catching entries include Kalashnikov (Amy Murphy), a G1-winning novice last season, and Keeper Hill (Warren Greatrex), who captured a graduation chase at Haydock Park on 23 November.

The weights for the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup will be released at noon on Wednesday, 4 December. Day two of The International also features the £140,000 G2 Unibet International Hurdle, a leading trial for the G1 Unibet Champion Hurdle at The Festival™ presented by Magners in March.

The Caspian Caviar Gold Cup G3 handicap chase, £130,000 total prize fund. Saturday, December 14.

Two miles, four and a half furlongs.

For four-year-olds and upwards.

Penalties: after December 1, a winner of a chase 5lb.

Entries closed November 26, entries revealed November 27 (38 entries).

Weights revealed December 4. Five-day confirmations December 9, final declarations December 12.

Maximum field 17 runners plus two reserves.

Animal Age Owner Trainer Acapella Bourgeois (FR) 9 Slaneyville Syndicate Willie Mullins IRE Azzerti (FR) 7 McNeill Family and Prodec Networks Ltd Alan King Benatar (IRE) 7 Ashley Head Gary Moore Brelan d'As (FR) 8 J P McManus Paul Nicholls Capeland (FR) 7 Mrs Kathy Stuart Paul Nicholls Casablanca Mix (FR) 7 E R Hanbury Nicky Henderson Cepage (FR) 7 The Bellamy Partnership Venetia Williams Clondaw Castle (IRE) 7 J French, D McDermott, S Nelson, T Syder Tom George Didero Vallis (FR) 6 Lady Bolton Venetia Williams Divine Spear (IRE) 8 Middleham Park Racing LXII Nicky Henderson Eamon An Cnoic (IRE) 8 The Angove Family David Pipe Generous Day (IRE) 7 R G Whitehead Henry Oliver Go Long (IRE) 9 William & Angela Rucker Evan Williams Good Man Pat (IRE) 6 David Sewell Alan King Guitar Pete (IRE) 9 Mrs Pat Sloan Nicky Richards Happy Diva (IRE) 8 Will Roseff Kerry Lee Highway One O One (IRE) 7 Anthony Ward-Thomas Chris Gordon Imperial Presence (IRE) 8 Sir Christopher & Lady Wates Philip Hobbs Kalashnikov (IRE) 6 Paul Murphy Amy Murphy Keeper Hill (IRE) 8 McNeill Family Warren Greatrex Knocknanuss (IRE) 9 Hail Sargent Evans Gary Moore Kobrouk (FR) 8 John & Barbara Cotton Nicky Henderson Lalor (GER) 7 D G Staddon Kayley Woollacott Magic Saint (FR) 5 John & Barbara Cotton Paul Nicholls Molineaux (IRE) 8 John and Heather Snook Colin Tizzard Not That Fuisse (FR) 6 Colm Donlon Dan Skelton O O Seven (IRE) 9 Christopher Hanbury Nicky Henderson Rather Be (IRE) 8 Eventmasters Racing Nicky Henderson Riders Onthe Storm (IRE) 6 Carl Hinchy and Mark Scott Nigel Twiston-Davies Robin des Foret (IRE) 9 Byerley Racing Syndicate Willie Mullins IRE Secret Investor 7 Hills of Ledbury (Aga) Paul Nicholls Sky Pirate 6 Lady Bamford & Alice Bamford Jonjo O'Neill Spiritofthegames (IRE) 7 N W Lake Dan Skelton The Bay Birch (IRE) 8 Tony Scrivin Matt Sheppard Theinval (FR) 9 Mr & Mrs Sandy Orr Nicky Henderson Vaniteux (FR) 10 C R Leech Sophie Leech Warthog (FR) 7 Professor Caroline Tisdall & Bryan Drew David Pipe Wenyerreadyfreddie (IRE) 8 M Landau & J Lightfoot Nicky Henderson 38 entries 2 Irish-trained Cheltenham Racecourse

Cheltenham Racecourse is situated in Prestbury on the northern outskirts of the historic spa town of Cheltenham.

The Home of Jump Racing, Cheltenham Racecourse is the venue for the world's pre-eminent Jump meeting.

The Festival™ presented by Magners, which happens in March over four days every year, next takes place from Tuesday, 10 March, to Friday, 13 March, 2020 inclusive and tickets are on sale.

Set against the beautiful backdrop of the Cotswolds,

Cheltenham Racecourse is a stunning natural arena and offers the highest-quality action throughout the Jump season.