The former winner Imperial Call headed 16 withdrawals yesterday for the Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup.

The 11-year-old, who gave Ireland its first win in the race for 10 years when successful in 1996, has suffered training problems this term and been restricted to just one outing.

Others withdrawn included last year's sixth Simply Dashing and the Venetia Williams-trained Pain Royal, who has been quoted at just 25 to 1 for the race. A field of 28 remain for the March 16th contest, four more than are left in the Smurfit Champion Hurdle two days earlier.

Most notable omission from the Champion was Irish star Limestone Lad, who is being aimed instead at the Bonusprint Stayers' Hurdle for which 25 horses have stood their ground.

Acceptances for Cheltenham's other championship races shows that Paul Nicholls' hot favourite Flagship Uberalles will face a maximum of 14 rivals in the Queen Mother Champion Chase.

They include his stable-companion and last year's winner Call Equiname plus leading Irish Independent Arkle Chase hope Decoupage.

Mark Pitman has left ante-post market leader Monsignor in just the Royal & SunAlliance Novices' Hurdle but Irish rival Youlneverwalkalone retains an alternative option in the Capel Cure Sharp Novices' Hurdle.

Peter Beaumont has discarded two cards from his enviable Grand National hand. The North Yorkshire trainer has withdrawn Bobby Grant and Island Chief from the Aintree showpiece, for which he still has favourite Young Kenny and Niki Dee engaged.

A total of 85 acceptors after the first forfeit stage were unveiled yesterday, with 57 in the handicap proper.

Young Kenny remains at the head of the handicap on 12 st., 2 lb. clear of dual National runner-up Suny Bay who could be back in action in the next fortnight.

Others withdrawn at Tuesday's forfeit stage included the injured pair Courlis Pontet and Him Of Praise plus Mary Reveley's Random Harvest.

Clerk of the course Ian Renton said: "The track is in lovely condition and the current going would be good to soft."