Leading Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup hope Brother Of Iris has been given an alternative option at the National Hunt Festival, it emerged yesterday.

Mary Reveley has put her promising chaser, quoted at 14 to 1 for the Gold Cup by Ladbrokes and due to warm up in Saturday's Racing Post Chase at Kempton, in the William Hill National Hunt Handicap Chase.

Leading novices Beau and Gloria Victis - another Gold Cup possible - are also among 74 entries unveiled yesterday for the 25-furlong event.

A record total of 547 horses have been put in the seven handicaps at next month's Festival, one up on last year's tally.

There is a best-ever 111 entries from Irish stables in the seven races, while Martin Pipe is responsible for another 85 of the entries.

Coral bookmakers have priced up five of the handicaps before the weights have been published.

The Tote Gold Trophy winner Geos is 8 to 1 favourite for the Vincent O'Brien County Hurdle, with Back On Top and Copeland next best at 12 to 1.

In the Coral Cup, Teaatral is the market leader at 10 to 1, with Phariwarmer, Brandon Court, Darapour and Heros Fatal all on 12 to 1.

In the Mildmay of Flete Handicap Chase, Native Charm, Wayward King and Boardroom Shuffle share 10 to 1 co-favouritism.

Coral make Aghawadda Gold 4 to 1 best for the Grand Annual Handicap Chase, with Amancio 7 to 1.

And in the William Hill Handicap Chase, Red Marauder their 8 to 1 favourite from Marlborough at 10 to 1.

Weights for the Cheltenham handicaps will be announced tomorrow week.