Ginny's Destiny still in contention for Saturday's Paddy Power Gold Cup but well-fancied stablemate not among those put forward

Ginny’s Destiny will attempt to provide trainer Paul Nicholls with back-to-back victories in the Paddy Power Gold Cup (2.20) after featuring among 17 confirmations for Saturday’s contest.

Stage Star, who won the race last year for Nicholls, has not been confirmed, but 2022 winner Ga Law has been left in by trainer Jamie Snowden.

Protektorat, winner of the Grade 1 Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in March, heads the weights for the Paddy Power Gold Cup having been left in by trainer Dan Skelton. Should the 167-rated Protektorat line up, he will be the highest-rated horse to have contested the race since Poquelin raced off a mark of 170 in 2011.

Tranquil Sea was the last horse trained in Ireland to win the Paddy Power Gold Cup in 2009. Lets Go Champ, Hartur D’Arc and Janidil could attempt to emulate him in this year’s contest.

Paddy Power spokesman Paul Binfield said: “Paul Nicholls made no secret of the fact that he thought Ginny's Destiny was the perfect candidate for the race three weeks’ ago and an incredible 125-1 five-timer on Saturday has not exactly put punters off the Turners runner-up.”

There has been more recent Irish success in the Unibet Greatwood Handicap Hurdle (3.30) with The Shunter scoring for Emmet Mullins in 2020. Mullins has confirmed Jacovec Cavern and Toll Stone for this year’s Greatwood Hurdle.

The pair are among 20 confirmations for the race, alongside the likes of Burdett Road, Be Aware and Dysart Enos. Nicky Henderson, who won the Greatwood Hurdle last year with Iberico Lord, has confirmed Under Control.

Paddy Power Gold Cup confirmations

Protektorat
Ga Law
Ginny’s Destiny
Editeur Du Gite
Janidil
Fugitif
Imagine
Jetoile
In Excelsis Deo
Lets Go Champ
Hartur D’Arc
Madara
Il Ridoto
Straw Fan Jack
Weveallbeencaught
Kotmask
Gemirande

Paddy Power Gold Cup (2.20 Cheltenham, Saturday)
Sponsors: 3 Ginny's Destiny, 5 Imagine, 6 Il Ridoto, 9 In Excelsis Deo, 10 Ga Law, Lets Go Champ, 12 Protektorat, 14 Fugitif, 16 Kotmask, Weveallbeencaught, 20 Hartur d'Arc, Jetoile, Straw Fan Jack, 25 Janidil, Madara, 33 Editeur du Gite, 40 Gemirande

Unibet Greatwood Hurdle confirmations

Lump Sum
Under Control
Anyharminasking
Go Dante
Spirit D’Aunou
Burdett Road
Dysart Enos
Black Poppy
Liari
Williethebuilder
Be Aware
Cracking Rhapsody
Fiercely Proud
Teddy Blue
Florida Dreams
Napper Tandy
Jacovec Cavern
Tintintin
Royal Way
Toll Stone

Unibet Greatwood Handicap Hurdle (3.30 Cheltenham, Sunday)
Sponsors: 10-3 Dysart Enos, 5 Burdett Road, 9 Go Dante, Be Aware, 10 Under Control, 12 Jacovec Cavern, Lump Sum, 14 Liari, Toll Stone, 20 Teddy Blue, Fiercely Proud, 25 Anyharminasking, Williethebuilder, Royal Way, 33 Florida Dreams, Cracking Rhapsody, 40 Black Poppy, 50 Tintintin, 66 Spirit D'Aunou, Napper Tandy

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