Live horse racing blog: News, reviews and replays from Cheltenham

• Day's tip Midnight Shadow strikes in Paddy Power
• Pyledriver takes Churchill Stakes, Hong Kong next
• Lucki impresses at Cheltenham
• Riviere runs them ragged in Grade Two
• Dynamite makes most of Olinger absence

All times BST, please refresh for updates

1605: Muir: "He's never let anyone down this horse. He wasn't fit and I left him purposely to improve.

"We had the perfect sit but the gears he showed turning in - ooof, he's gone. He was just getting tired but he's got a right to.

"He's like a ballet dancer, he's not like me!

"This is a good horse, he never hurt himself once, he just messed about in his box. I'm telling you, he would have given them a run (in the King George). Maybe it was meant to be.

"He's 12 kilos over his racing weight and he always goes to his racing weight when he's at his best. I wouldn't have been worried if he'd got beat today, my aim is Hong Kong. This was a hell of a performance."

Dwyer: "Travelled lovely, little bit fresh and full of himself, delighted with him. It worked out quite nicely.

"He's an exuberant runner this fellow, really quickened well. He had a bit against him today, he was about 80% fit, carrying a penalty and better at a mile and a half.

"He felt something come to him and he responded. I wanted him to take his jacket off and do a bit of work today so I chased him on (after the winning post).

"He's been a success story, great for the whole team."

Two very enjoyable interviews with Weaver who clearly knows both Muir and Dwyer very well. Plenty of humour and bonhomie and excitement with Muir even a little breathless following the excitement of the race.

It puts a smile on the face which is a nice way to end my day.

I will, though, be back tomorrow and I hope you can join us then. Ta ta for now.

1550: There should be some reaction to come from Lingfield but Sky Sports Racing have had to head back to Uttoxeter.

Mind you, I don't suppose it will be any more than the usual fantastic, delighted etc. It is, though, always a pleasure to listen to Muir.

I missed the Gowel Road reaction while that race was running but it will be on site in the Cheltenham review. A good day for Twiston-Davies has just got a little better with Muckamore winning under Nailor at Wetherby to complete a double for the pair in Yorkshire.

From a Listed race at Lingfield to a Listed race at Cheltenham where they are at the post for the Stirrups Restaurant And Cocktail Bar Evesham Mares' Open National Hunt Flat Race.

Fergal O'Brien is having a fine time and is responsible for favourite Bonttay.

There are a couple of significant non-runners which is a shame and means this may not take as much winning as seemed likely this morning. They're racing.

They race down the hill with Bonttay widest of all. It's a route that Brennan seems to favour and she's in contention.

She's hit the front but hasn't put it to bed.

Bonttay wins from Leading Theatre and Brennan stands up in the saddle and salutes the crowd. It's a one-two for the yard and a first and last race double for the jockey.

She may have been a shade fortunate to win the last day but she didn't need any assistance this afternoon and was returned the 2/1 favourite.

1540: Pyledriver has a penalty to carry and is dropping back to 10 furlongs so there are certainly negatives.

He has become a hugely popular horse though and many people will want to see him win this prize.

Via Serependity is the last to load.

Fox Tal leads from Pyledriver. He's perfectly placed inside the final five furlongs. Harrovian is third from Via S. Dubai Warrior in rear as Pyledriver quickens. Pyledriver hits the front, he holds on under hands and heels.

Martin Dwyer seemed more confident than me as Harrovian and Felix ran him down.

That was impressive - super stuff. All roads (well, flights) lead to Hong Kong.

1535: William Muir on Pyledriver: That's where I want to run my race Hong Kong but he is in tremendous shape."

Pyledriver is the 2/1 favourite and his trainer is still waxing lyrical about his stable star. I'm not sure he's said too much that is worth me typing out here but you can't escape Muir's regard for his charge.

Hong Kong is the aim but a big run is expected.

Weaver says 'he really looked a picture'. From one angle he thought he would take a big step forward from this run but from another angle, he felt that Pyledriver had done plenty of work.

They're on the way to post for the Churchill Stakes.

Pyledriver is now 6/4 with Felix second best at 3/1.

1519: Persad is marauding around the paddock and collars Brian Ellison who says: "I think he's a nice horse but whether he's up to it today we'll see."

Owner Dan Gilbert adds: "I don't fancy it to be honest but he's got an each-way chance. It's a hot race."

Conor O'Dwyer reports that Capilano Bridge might just need the run but he would have fancied him with a run under his belt.

This does look a warm race but it hasn't stopped my fancy Good Time Jonny being backed into 4/1 (from 10s).

Bridget Andrews has replaced Harry Skelton aboard the favourite Unexpected Party. ITV don't have any news on Skelton's injuries or otherwise but they did issue a cautiously optimistic bulletin on Captain Tom Cat following his fall earlier.

Skelton should be okay for tomorrow but has been stood down for today, he's shaken up.

The Silver Trophy at Chepstow often works out well and Gowel Road ran adequately in that contest, he has more to offer and may be able to build on that here; either way, I think he remains a horse to be interested in.

They're off.

Small Bad Bob leads from Gowel Road in a tightly grouped field. They've jumped four and have a circuit to go. The leader is about six clear heading out but the field close again. Four to jump. Challenges are being left late. Good Time gets a reminder.

Gowel Road challenges for the lead and goes on. He steals three lengths and maintains that leads to the line. Unexpected Party in second.

I think that's a good ride from Sam Twiston-Davies, he raced in second behind the leader but was in an uncontested second and he really enjoyed the run of the race. He was on a good horse but he's nicked that to some extent. Fine work. The winner was 13/2.

1508: Almost set at Lingfield, just waiting for Harry's Bar who kicks out at the handlers.

Exalted Angel leads from Good Effort who gets into a good position from 8, for all that he's on the outside of the leader. Harry's Bar third with Misty Grey. Good Effort goes on and kicks in the straight.

Easy peasy lemon squeezy.

They didn't see which way the 11/8 favourite went. It was tight for the minors. Judicial confirmed in second with Soldier's Minute third.

Hobbs is with Persad talking about Sporting John.

"Last season was a bit in and out but wasn't a disaster. We couldn't find a chase to start him off in so we thought we'd go back over hurdles.

"It all needs discussing about what we're going to do. I'm not going to rule it out going back over fences but he could be a high-class hurdler too so lots of options.

"It's great to see him back."

1500: That's an across the cards treble for Hobbs after a double at Uttoxeter.

The ITV Racing team are suggesting that Sporting John could stay over hurdles now and be aimed at the Stayers Hurdle.

He'd have a few pounds to find as things stand but that doesn't seem wholly unreasonable. He certainly seemed happier here than he did over fences.

Good Effort and Judicial have won the last two editions of the Golden Rose and both go to post at Lingfield. The former is the 11/8 favourite with Irish raider Harry's Bar next in the betting at 11/2.

Good Effort is three from three at the course and has finished first or second on nine of his 13 all-weather starts - not a bad horse to own.

JP McManus owns Sporting John and he also owns Glenquin Castle (9/2) who has just completed a six-timer at Punchestown. He's still only rated 103!!! That takes some doing.

1449: Some consolation for Protektorat's owners and the Skeltons at Wetherby as Lakota Warrior (9/2) builds on some early promise under Lorcan Williams.

It wasn't much of a race but I thought he shaped quite well on his debut at Warwick and would be hopeful he can progress.

Coming in at Cheltenham and Ballymillsy sets out to make all. Proschema is towards the rear and is likely to be played late in the day.

They race downhill while at Lingfield Judicial is being walked to the start a good 10 minutes before the off for the Listed Golden Rose Stakes at 1505.

Shannon Bridge and Optimise Prime keep Ballymillsy company. Optimise Prime won a Hereford novice hurdle last December that was won in 2017 by Paisley Park; perhaps he, too, will be suited by this stiffer test of stamina.

The field are bunching up with three to jump. Kansas City Chief has moved into second. Optimise Prime has dropped out but Sporting John goes ominously well but Proschema falls at the second last.

Kansas, Onagatheringstorm and Sporting John.

The latter, who has a touch of class, pulled three or four clear on the climb to win at 9/2 for Philip Hobbs and Tom O'Brien.

Cracking race.

1436: There was a dead-heat for sixth with Zanza and Simply The Betts with Manofthemountain eighth and Spiritofthegames ninth.

ITV Racing have just highlighted an early mistake or two by Protektorat with Mick Fitzgerald saying it will have taken Skelton some time to get him back into a rhythm.

That may well have made the difference and it's suggested he could be hard to beat back at the track next month in the similar handicap.

A change of pace at Cheltenham with the three mile Paddy Power Games Handicap Hurdle and supporters of Proschema may be quite pleased to see their fancy trading at 3/1 as many might have expected him to be shorter.

The money has continued to come for the Twiston-Davies trained Ballymillsy who is vying for favouritism.

Sporting John is 4/1 and remains solid in the market having been well backed through the day while Onagatheringstorm is half a point longer in a tough handicap.

1427: Persad speaks to the winning trainer:

"It's out of this world because we had the one horse to bring down here but he's a good horse. I'm really delighted.

"Terrifying (watching the run-in)!

"It's magic because you don't often come by a horse like this and he's a very, very special horse."

Galahad Quest was fifth.

Manofthemountain was among those not far behind but I'll wait for the official result for the other finishing positions.

The field did eventually close but they took a long time, too long, to get close to those prominent racers.

More from Smith on Racing TV who confirms that Mania said Midnight Shadow was idling on the run-in.

She also confirms that Midnight Shadow is on course for the King George VI Chase and that remains the plan 'so far'. She's of no doubt that he will stay three miles in time.

It's also been pointed out what a big win it is for trainers in the north of the country, their representatives so often seem to struggle when coming south for the big races.

1414: Lalor and Protektorat stood out in the paddock for Neesom whose two selections are Galahad Quest and Paint The Dream.

Not long now - good luck. Protektorat is the new favourite.

Away at the first time of asking with 16 fences ahead of them. Belargus goes at the first. Coole Cody and Simply The Betts are the first two with 30 lengths back to the last.

Paint The Dream is into second with Midnight Shadow fourth. Lalor and Al Dancer creep closer with a circuit to run. Caribean Boy not far behind that duo.

The water is the tenth and they're over that. Aso takes closer order but makes a mistake. Three to jump and Coole Cody still leads Paint The Dream. Al Dancer struggling it seems. Lalor ridden. Not many getting into this.

Midnight Shadow second. Coole Cody falls at the second last. Midnight Shadow clear. He idles on the hill but has half a length in hand of Protektorat at the post.

Lalor third and Dostal Phil fourth.

Desperate for Coole Cody but glory for Sue Smith and Ryan Mania with the winner returned at 9/1.

Followers of our ante-post tipster Chris Day will be delighted as he put up Midnight Shadow at 12/1 in his column on Monday.

1408: They're in the paddock ahead of the Paddy Power Gold Cup.

I haven't previously mentioned Nietzsche who is out at 25s but has been quite well written up in places.

I think I remember reading that his owner lives close to Cheltenham and obviously loves a runner at the course.

Nietzsche ran pretty well in last season's Ultima from a similar mark and while it's a stretch to see him winning, I wouldn't be at all surprised were he to fill one of those first six or seven places and pick up the each-way money.

"Nervous, all our work is done," Sam Thomas tells Rishi Persad.

"Need a lot of luck now. We've had a couple of away days, I'm confident we've done enough work for him to do himself justice."

Evan Williams says of last year's winner: "He's a grand horse to have. He's 4lbs higher in a very deep race and the rain has stayed away but we're defending champion and we'll give it a crack."

The cameras keep zooming in on Sir Alex Ferguson who is a co-owner of Protektorat. He looks quite relaxed at present.

1401: Desert Lime (5/4f) provides Buick with a double at Lingfield while they're running at Wetherby where the money eventually came for Palmers Hill. Come on my son!

The focus though is on Cheltenham where it is still 6/1 the field for the Paddy Power Gold Cup.

Al Dancer is a fraction shorter in places and is a similar price as when a beaten favourite (third) 12 months ago. Can he really go two places better on debut for a new stable?

He's not for me and, as I said this morning, I struggled to find a horse to pin my colours to. I'll be cheering on Spiritofthegames as an each-way pick with the layers paying down to sixth and seventh.

Meanwhile at Wetherby Palmers Hill comes home a length and a bit to the good. His jumping left a bit to be desired and it was quite an exciting race with a number of chances at the last but he, happily, proved too strong.

1351: Ed Chamberlin ran through a few Sporting Life Arkle Challenge Trophy ante-post quotes and Third Time Lucki was left unchanged at 10/1 by some firms although Sky Bet trimmed Dan Skelton's charge to 8/1.

There are one or two Irish trained runners still ahead of him in the betting despite not jumping a fence in public yet.

Top Bandit was a winner at Cheltenham last time and he's followed up at Punchestown for Elliott and Davy Russell, returning at 2/1 favourite. He didn't do an awful lot once in the lead.

"Very impressed, I think his jumping was excellent," says Dan Skelton.

"He's got a little bit lonely and I'm not too worried about that. I do think he's really good fresh. Weirdly he was probably fitter the first day than today.

"Sandown is still on the agenda but spring is still very important to us. Mike (Newbould, owner) is not hung up on the Arkle. We'll see what the spring brings but ultimately we'll work back from the Arkle and we'll also look at Aintree."

He also gave a positive word for Protektorat as you would expect.

1336: Some drama at Uttoxeter where Sayadam and Lupus Regem were lobbing along at the head of affairs before the latter took the wrong course.

I think he was unsteerable rather than the jockey taking the wrong route; he was in the process of running a big race.

Sayadam was turned over in the finish which has burst his bubble; victory went to Iontach Cheval (10/1) who completed a double for Alastair Ralph.

Runners at the post for the Grade Two From The Horse's Mouth Podcast Novices' Chase.

Captain Tom Cat leads Third Time Lucki with a keen Mick Pastor in third. They've cleared the water which was the seventh.

Third Time Lucki has jumped his way into the lead. Four to jump. He's jumping beautifully but the second last is still to come.

He's steadied into it and takes it well. Harry Skelton appeared to be asking him to concentrate after that obstacle and Captain Tom Cat started to close again only to fall at the last. It would have been interesting had he stood up. I think the winner was only idling. It does reduce his performance to an 8/10 rather than a 10/10 though.

Skelton, though, is all smiles.

"He was brilliant," he tells ITV Racing.

"He's got a lot of natural pace. His turn of speed midway through the race. We've always thought a lot of him. We're all living the dream now and will hopefully be back here in March. He's an out and out two miler, the ground is a bit dead but in the spring time he might bounce off a bit better ground."

1329: Some belated reaction to the first race from Cheltenham with Harris saying: "This lad isn’t going to win the Gold Cup, but he might win a Triumph Hurdle.”

Full reaction and reports can be found on the site or by clicking on the image above.

According to the commentator at Wetherby there was a good gamble on Earlofthecostwolds and he's won in very good style.

That's a winner for Nigel Twiston-Davies and Jordan Nailor; he was returned at 9/4.

Back at Cheltenham, Third Time Lucki is marching around the paddock and dragging his lass around with him.

He's 4/9 but that's more a reflection of his ability rather than a paucity of opposition as all three rivals are decent enough sorts.

Third Time Lucki was very impressive over course and distance last month and is widely expected to take high rank in this division. This represents another step up the ladder for him.

1317: There's a competitive 0-105 handicap coming up from Lingfield in a couple of minutes.

At Punchestown, Lunar Power (6/4) made all under Bryan Cooper but had to work quite hard to see off the challenge of Iberique Du Seuil.

Those two finished a long way clear of Swinging London who still did enough to show why he was quite well backed last night. Mangan pays the third a compliment of sorts, commenting that he did well to finish where he did given how badly he jumped.

It will be interesting to see how he progresses. A Boodles / Fred Winter candidate perhaps?

Noel Meade may well have greater ambitions for Lunar Power.

Approaching the straight at Lingfield with Invincibly in the lead.

She was really game and only ceded the lead within the final half a furlong, eventually finishing third behind 3/1 favourite Pistoletto and Imperial Sands.

1304: Luck and Neesom preview the upcoming race and the former believes Forza Milan has 'a good chance'; Neesom doesn't seem convinced.

The goggles are coming down. Strictlyadancer is 5/2 having touched 9/4 while there's been a punt on Fact Of The Matter (9s from 14s).

They are running. At Uttoxeter 33/1 winner Gavin is a notable scorer being the first for Gloucestershire handler Joe Ponting. No, nor me.

They appear to be going a reasonable clip at Cheltenham and they're all standing. They've completed a circuit, more or less, and the favourite is close enough in around ninth. Market rival Opposites Attract is in a share of the lead with Mindsmadeup.

Milanford goes quite nicely for his new trainer who has been struggling for form. Some of the jumping is becoming a little ragged. They're closely grouped. Two Taffs still swinging along at the back of the group.

Milansford went out like a light, favourite goes well in third. Two to jump, Strictlyadancer breezes into the lead but is soon joined by Pontresina and Mindsmadeup.

Pontresina unseats at the last and Strictlyadancer is kept up to his work to win by a couple of lengths.

A well backed winner and victory was rarely in doubt; he was returned at 9/4.

Off at Punchestown shortly and that overnight money for Swinging London has dried up, he's back out to 6/1 as the support has come for Elliott's runner.

1251: There's been another winner for David Probert at Lingfield, this time for Marco Botti as Valentinka scores at 10/1.

Up next from Cheltenham is the Jewson Tool Hire Amateur Jockeys' Handicap Chase where Strictlyadancer retains favouritism.

Trained by Christian Williams, he won over this trip at the last meeting and this seven-year-old could still be on the improve.

The same can't be said for a number of his rivals which goes some way to explaining the market and this may not prove to be as competitive as numbers suggest.

Only two recent winners have returned at double figure odds and it seems sensible to concentrate on those towards the top of the betting.

Megan Nicholls has just completely bottled attempting to pronounce the name of One Forty Seven's jockey, just referring to him as 'Noah'.

I sympathise but it made me laugh. I'd have swerved him completely. There's no support for his mount who is out at 18/1.

1240: They are already running at Punchestown where Cape Gentleman is odds-on to win a Grade Two novice chase; he's two from two over fences so far.

There are four to jump and four clear. Emmet Mullins' favourite appears to be travelling very strongly but he comes under a ride having jumped the third last and now has two or three lengths to find.

He can't pick up and Riviere d'Etel goes further and further clear; a winner for Gordon Elliott and Denis O'Regan.

She was getting plenty of weight from her rivals but the 9/4 chance quickened clear in good style having jumped impressively.

You can watch a replay of the first from Cheltenham via the link above.

Knight Salute was halved in price by Betfair and Paddy Power to 20/1 for the Triumph Hurdle. Sky Bet were more impressed and go 14/1 from 33s.

Jane Mangan is just running through some of the horses to have won the Punchestown race in the past and I think she mentioned Moscow Flyer; more recently Sporting John, Notebook and Twinlight are among those to have featured.

Riviere d'Etel has a good bit to live up to but may well be up to the task.

1231: Ian Bartlett has the call at Cheltenham as the field come out onto the course for the JCB Triumph Trial Juvenile Hurdle.

A good, clean starts sees Mister Allegro lead them over the first. The favourite is in a close third approaching the second.

They've jumped four and are now approaching the top of the hill. Three to jump as they race downhill. Cards still to be played.

Mister Allegro runs about a little and isn't making life easy for Magistrato but he pushes his way through on the rail.

Four in a line, more or less, over the last but Knight Salute runs on strongly and wins well.

Around three lengths cover the next five with Magistrato only fourth as he flattered to deceive.

Saint Riquier was second I believe.

The winner was trained by Milton Harris - a trainer who is hopeful of getting back up towards the top of the table - and ridden by Paddy Brennan.

1223: Racing at Uttoxeter while at Cheltenham on Racing TV, Lydia Hislop and Megan Nicholls are going to look at the juveniles in the paddock.

They're running through the field's achievements rather than appearance at present while at Uttoxeter, William Kennedy has just landed on a hurdle as his mount swerved violently right; fortunately he appears to be none the worse for his fall.

Nicholls is asked for a quick word on Magistrato and reports that he looks terrific at home and she's excited to see him in action; both he and Knight Salute have shortened up a little at the top of the market.

It looks quite hard work for the runners at Uttoxeter where Jonathan Burke and Jack Sharp (11/10 favourite) passed the post in front.

1209: Division two of the maiden at Lingfield doesn't appear to be quite as competitive as the first and Park Street, who has already had three cracks at breaking his duck, is a solid favourite at 7/4.

They are at the start in Surrey and in the paddock at Wetherby.

The money at Lingfield proved misplaced as Independent Act (5/1) makes quite an impressive debut for William Buick and Charlie Appleby. Park Street was second with Nathanael Greene third.

Jason Weaver suggests that the favourite may have been too keen in the early exchanges.

Cobblers Dream and Thunder Rock dominate the market in Yorkshire and they're underway for the Dransfields CIU Novices' Hurdle.

Kyntara's absence from the first at Uttoxeter has opened up the market to some extent while at Cheltenham, they currently bet Magistrato 7/4, Knight Salute 9/2 and Caramelised 7/1.

Is that confidence behind the favourite or a lack of confidence behind his rivals?

The big two came through to dominate the finish at Wetherby with victory going to Thunder Rock (13/8); a nice performance.

That's 38 for the season for Olly Murphy who has spoken quite bullishly about his stable strength for the months ahead.

1201: Running at Punchestown and the favourite, French Dynamite, is in second at the third with the remainder of the field following at a respectful distance. They're quite well strung out with a circuit to go.

French Dynamite was rated 150 over hurdles and has already had one run over fences - unlike a number of his rivals - behind Cape Gentleman who runs in the next. He certainly benefitted from his reappearance and it will be interesting to see how far he can progress in this sphere.

He won by four or five from Dewcup with a similar distance back to Torygraph, Farceur Du Large and Zoffanien. Those behind got within a stone's throw in the straight but Darragh O'Keeffe had plenty of horse left underneath him and the pair made no mistakes, keeping the door firmly closed.

1155: There's plenty going on elsewhere as you'd expect and Kim Bailey sends a couple of nice prospects to Uttoxeter.

Tom Scudamore has gone to Wetherby for two rides and I was particularly interested in Palmers Hill in the Geoff Smith Poor Country Joiner Handicap Chase at 1400.

He won at Cheltenham's November meeting back in 2018, looking a very good prospect, but didn't race again until 2020.

His one chase start didn't go to plan but he ran well enough in the Coral Cup in March (ninth, beaten 14 lengths) to believe that the ability remains intact. It's interesting that he's pitched into handicap company for this second start over fences and I'd be hopeful that he remains capable of rating a good bit higher than his current mark of 130.

There's a fair bit to be taken on trust on this first start since the Festival but his odds reflect that (for me).

1143: Division one of an interesting maiden at Lingfield goes to 25/1 shot Sea Grey (Balding / Probert) and there appeared to be no fluke about the performance.

The fancied runners all finished out of the frame but it looked a fair race on paper and there were one or two further back in the field who caught the eye finishing off their races to reasonable effect with Caius Chorister notable among them.

One for the trackers perhaps.

There's no Bob Olinger at Punchestown but the race he would have run in will soon be upon us and French Dynamite is the current 6/4 favourite.

There is a good novice race at Cheltenham too and the Skeltons will be hoping they enjoy better fortune with Third Time Lucki than they did yesterday with My Drogo.

I'm in no rush to take him on nor stablemate Proschema in the three mile Paddy Power Games Handicap Hurdle.

There is some money for Sporting John and Ballymillsy against the latter but it's a race I'm content to watch from the sidelines.

1137: Racing TV have started their preview of today's racing and Nick Luck and Jonathan Neesom are on course and have been discussing the Paddy Power Gold Cup.

Neesom has highlighted two runners with the first being Paint The Dream.

"When he won at Newbury they said they'd really worked on his jumping and it's shown since. He looked like a horse that was still very much on the up (when winning at Chepstow).

"Galahad Quest is completely unexposed and I thought the run at Wetherby was as good a trial as you could possibly want going into this race."

Luck has 'plumped' for Caribean Boy, saying: "Lydia (Hislop) nearly talked me off the scaffold yesterday but I had already done it. Ground and freshness were my two angles."

They are at the post at Lingfield.

1121: There are two absentees from the Jewson Tool Hire Amateur Jockeys' Handicap Chase in which both Opposites Attract and Strictlyadancer feature among the Sky Bet market movers.

Two Taffs didn't make that list but there does appear to have been some support (even allowing for the nons) for Sophie Leech's runner who is a general 20/1 from 40s.

He's a horse that I fell for in his younger days but he proved reluctant to put his head in front (16-1-4-3 over fences) despite a variety of aides and tactics being employed.

The Leechs have enjoyed comparative success with some seemingly exposed runners in the past and Two Taffs may not be done with yet. He has plenty of form around Cheltenham and should be a fun ride for Roisin Leech.

I know nothing about her or Noah Brazg-Carrell who rides One Forty Seven for Nigel Twiston-Davies but it seems that both have gained plenty of experience in pony racing. They are inexperienced under Rules though whereas John Barry, who rides Opposites Attract, has ridden well over 300 races under Rules in Ireland and that experience could well be a key factor.

1100: We are not too far away from the first action of the day with Lingfield's first due off in 40 minutes.

There's still an hour and a half until the first from Cheltenham though which is ample time to watch the team's best bets video (above).

It appears to be a fairly useful renewal of the JCB Triumph Trial Juvenile Hurdle and it's a race in which the Paul Nicholls runners are often the first port of call.

The Ditcheat handler has won three of the last 10 runnings but only one of the last eight and has seen Mick Pastor and Hell Red return as beaten favourites in the last two years.

The latter won the same Chepstow race as Magistrato (as did Dolos, Adrien du Pont, Keltus and Far West) but has had his problems since and has struggled in two starts this season.

Time will tell whether Magistrato enjoys better fortune but he faces a fair field this afternoon, some of whom have built up a relative wealth of experience on the Flat which could stand them in good stead.

Among that number is Addosh whose trainer, Stuart Edmunds, won this with a broadly similar type in Wolf Of Windlesham in 2015. The Wolf came into this race with 12 flat starts and one hurdles run under his belt while Addosh has had 14 career starts, including 11 on the level.

She unseated last time in a race won by Porticello; he had previously beaten Magistrato when the pair clashed in France. They are the faintest of collateral form lines.

Magistrato currently seems a good deal stronger in the market than stablemate Skatman, for example, was yesterday.

1047: Talking of market movers, the Sky Bet update is on site and reveals that:

"Paint The Dream is the one for money in the Paddy Power Gold Cup with Sky Bet.

Fergal O'Brien is already among the winners at the November Meeting and with the firm paying seven places, his representative in the feature race is proving popular.

A winner at Chepstow on his reappearance, he's 12/1 from 16/1 to successfully defy a five-pounds higher mark."

You can click on the image above for details of all of the firm's Cheltenham market movers.

There was a market mover from Punchestown that caught my eye last night and that was Swinging London.

He's drifted a little this morning and is around 2/1 currently but was down to 11/8 in places yesterday having initially being put up at 6/1.

He's trained by Ellmarie Holden who landed a mighty touch with a similar sort in French Aseel at Leopardstown last Christmas. That one subsequently joined Willie Mullins having been bought by Joe and Marie Donnelly but unfortunately hasn't been seen since handing out that 22 length beating to Coltor and company.

Can Swinging London produce a similar performance? That might be asking a bit much but it will be fascinating to see if the Dark Angel gelding remains strong in the market and how he fares in a useful race.

1039: My attraction to Good Time Jonny has not quite waned and the market support for Tony Martin's charge in the Paddy Power Feel Like A Favourite Intermediate Handicap Hurdle is most encouraging.

It was his run in a Leopardstown bumper on St Stephen's Day in 2019 that prompted me to add him to my My Stable tracker but it's taken him a little while to get his act together over hurdles.

He appears to be doing that now having finished third and first on his last two starts (from seven in total) and I've high hopes that he can continue to progress. He finished ninth behind Ferny Hollow in the 2020 Champion Bumper and that form doesn't look too bad in the context of this race or his current handicap mark of 126.

He was around 10/1 in the opening shows and is half that price now.

1021: Stealing the first paragraph from Matt Brocklebank's Value Bet column, 'the 2021 Paddy Power Gold Cup has just about everything you'd wish to see in a high-class Saturday feature, from unexposed young pretenders to hard-knocking handicappers who have been there and done it, plus the odd Grade One-winning novice thrown in for good measure'.

It certainly promises to be an enthralling renewal but it's one in which I've failed to nail down a firm fancy.

I parted ways with Al Dancer some time ago and the same is true of Punting Pointers selection Deyrann de Carjac.

Old flame Aso still has a place in my heart but this is surely asking too much while I've never seen the attraction of Paint The Clouds, Midnight Shadow and Coole Cody as admirable as they are.

Zanza and Protektorat have caught everyone's eye at one point or another in the last year or so and that's always enough to make me turn my head and look elsewhere while blind faith in Lazarus tribute acts is rarely my thing unless the price is long enough so I'd rather be with Simply The Betts than Lalor but neither gets the pulse racing in terms of a wager.

I took against the form of Caribean Boy's Newbury win last season but his connections have been talking a good game in the build-up to this race and I almost persuaded myself he was the 'value' in the field. For all that u-turns seem very much in vogue, I can't persuade myself to join with him this afternoon having derided his charms last season.

The old companion who I have slowly become fond of is Spiritofthegames due to a series of creditable, consistent performances in a number of decent handicaps, including when second in this race last year.

He doesn't win very often which is off-putting for an each-way bet but it does seem as though he's been overlooked again in favour of newer, sexier profiles. I'd be putting him in every forecast and tricast were I to play those games and he's the one in the line-up that I could be persuaded to back as things stand, especially with all those extra places on offer.

1010: Good morning,

I hope those of you on the way to Cheltenham have found a route to avoid the roadworks close to the course - there could be some long queues if they're still in place.

We're all set for a super day's racing with the exception of Bob Olinger who will not be making his eagerly anticipated chasing debut at Punchestown due to a stone bruise.

He's one of a number of non-runners across the courses, including five at Cheltenham.

The going is still described as good, good to soft in places but there will be more on that through the morning no doubt.

Punchestown's first may be missing its marquee horse but it's still a more than useful beginners chase with the likes of Torygraph, French Dynamite and Zoffanien in the line-up. Not surprisingly, it promises to be an informative card.

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