Confirmed runners and riders for the December Gold Cup at Cheltenham on Saturday
Three-time Cheltenham winner Stage Star heads the weights for the Nyetimber December Gold Cup (1.50) on Saturday with 11 runners set to contest the weekend highlight.
The Harry Cobden-ridden eight-year-old won last season's Paddy Power Gold Cup and his trainer Paul Nicholls will also be represented by this year's winner Il Ridoto. He was a close second in this race 12 months ago and is bidding to become the first to do the double in Cheltenham's signature early season handicap chases.
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Fugitif denied him in last season's December Gold Cup and he will bid for repeat glory off 1lb lower. The Richard Hobson-trained nine-year-old will be ridden this year by Sean Bowen, with Gavin Sheehan to continue the partnership on leading fancy Ga Law.
Madara has been backed into favourite this week for the in-form Dan and Harry Skelton duo. The five-year-old won at Cheltenham's December meeting a year ago and was a promising fourth in the Paddy Power Gold Cup on stable debut.
Alan King bids for a first victory in the race with Grandeur D'Ame, who was ahead of Ga Law and Il Ridoto at Chepstow in October. Venetia Williams calls on Gemirande to continue her excellent spell.
Guard Your Dreams is the only novice in the line-up while In Excelsis Deo, Sure Touch and Le Patron also feature.
There will be no Irish representation in the race after Willie Mullins' James Du Berlais and the Noel Meade-trained Pinkerton were taken out. Shakem Up'Arry was also not declared.
Top France-based jockey James Reveley makes a rare appearance at Cheltenham to ride Jet Blue for David Cottin in the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle (3.00). He will look to deny Skyjack Hijack a seventh consecutive win.
Harry Cobden is back on board Libberty Hunter for Evan Williams in the BetMGM Handicap Chase (2.25). The pair finished second in the Grand Annual when last teaming up at Cheltenham in March.
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Nyetimber December Gold Cup confirmed runners and riders
Stage Star Harry Cobden
Ga Law Gavin Sheehan
Le Patron Freddie Mitchell
Fugitif Sean Bowen
Il Ridoto Freddie Gingell
Sure Touch Kevin Brogan
In Excelsis Deo Bryan Carver
Madara Harry Skelton
Gemirande Charlie Deutsch
Guard Your Dreams Sam Twiston-Davies
Grandeur D'Ame Brendan Powell
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