A total of 13 have been declared for Saturday's Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown, with Willie Mullins running eight, including Galopin Des Champs.
Paul Townend maintains his partnership with the three-time winner, while Mark Walsh has chosen Fact To File over last season's Gold Cup hero Inothewayurthinkin, who will be ridden by Keith Donoghue.
Jack Kennedy will ride Mullins' 2024 Grand National winner I Am Maximus, leaving Haiti Couleurs' regular jockey Sean Bowen, after Rebecca Curtis withdrew last year's Irish Grand National winner, to partner Gordon Elliott's Firefox.
Gaelic Warrior, Spindleberry, Champ Kiely, Grangeclare West and Lecky Watson also run for champion trainer Mullins.
Noel Meade's Savills Chase winner Affordale Fury and the Henry de Bromhead-trained Monty's Star complete the field.
Kopek Des Bordes will head straight to the Cheltenham Festival after Willie Mullins decided against a run in Saturday's Goffs Irish Arkle Novice Chase at
The Supreme Novices' Hurdle winner was due to clash with Gordon Elliott's Romeo Coolio in what would have been one of the highlights of the day one action at Leopardstown, especially after Kopek Des Bordes missed an intended outing over the Christmas period with a small setback.
However, his name was missing from the small field of three declared on Thursday morning, with the Closutton team switching their focus to Prestbury Park in March.
Owner Charles McCarthy said: "Willie rang me this morning and said he won't run. He's working well and everything is positive but he's just not happy to take on these horses at the moment. He just needs a little more time and that's what he doesn't have before Saturday.
"I asked him what was plan B and he said we're going straight to Cheltenham. I never challenge Willie and I respect his calls, I'd rather have a horse than not a horse.
"I'm broken hearted he won't run on Saturday like everyone else but we have to put the horse first."
Kopek Des Bordes has been eased to 4-1 with some bookmakers for the Arkle at the Cheltenham Festival.
However, McCarthy confirmed that would be the most likely destination for his popular six-year-old where he could face a mouthwatering clash with Nicky Henderson's current race favourite Lulamba.
He added: "We're aiming for the Arkle and at the moment that's where we are thinking. Willie has his eyes firmly set on Cheltenham and didn't want to jeopardise the horse this weekend, so the Arkle is what we're gunning for."
As a result Romeo Coolio will face just two rivals when he looks for a third straight Grade One success over the larger obstacles in the Goffs Irish Arkle Novice Chase.
Gordon Elliott's charge was a top-level winner over the same course and distance at Christmas, when needing every yard to down Irish Panther.
He did have the option of taking on Final Demand in Sunday’s longer Ladbrokes Novice Chase, but with the wet weather that has hit Leopardstown in recent weeks set to ensure testing conditions, Elliott is happy to take the shorter option once again.
Kargese will fly the flag for Willie Mullins.
Henry de Bromhead’s Downmexicoway completes the trio involved.
Elliott will also field the unbeaten Mange Tout in the Gannon’s City Recovery & Recycling Services Juvenile Hurdle which has drawn a field of seven, with Mullins looking to win it for the fourth time in five years with Grade Two course winner Narciso Has who impressed over the festive period.
Mullins will also be represented by French import Selma De Vary, who carries the Rich and Susannah Ricci silks on her stable debut, and Limerick winner Bertutea.
Elliott’s contingent includes Barbizon and Immediate Effect, the mount of Sean Bowen, with the sextet rounded off by North shore who represents last year’s winning handler Gavin Cromwell and was third to Narciso Has at Christmas.
Mullins looks to hold the ace card in the opening Nathaniel Lacy & Partners Solicitors Novice Hurdle where Doctor Steinberg sets a lofty standard on what he has achieved so far this term.
Nine head to post with Elliott saddling four in opposition, including Kazansky and Santo Sospir.
Elsewhere yesyerday's Limerick meeting which was postponed due to waterlogging will now take place on Tuesday, 10 February.
Watch the Dublin Racing Festival on Saturday and Sunday from 1pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player
