Il Ridoto heads field of 14 for Saturday's December Gold Cup as connections eye famous double at Cheltenham

Fourteen remain in contention for the December Gold Cup (1.50) at Cheltenham where Madara could provide Dan Skelton with more big-race Saturday success.

Skelton, who leads the trainers’ championship, enjoyed a treble on Tingle Creek day at Sandown, headlined by L’Eau Du Sud’s Grade 1 Henry VIII Novices’ Chase victory.

Harry Skelton rode all three winners for his brother Dan, and he could partner Madara for the first time in the £125,000 handicap after stablemate Midnight River was not among the confirmations.

Madara was a promising fourth under Tristan Durrell on his stable debut in last month’s Paddy Power Gold Cup and he could attempt to reverse the form with Il Ridoto.

Madara: in contention for the December Gold CupCredit: Caroline Norris (racingpost.com/photos)

The latter was beaten a short-head by Fugitif in this race last year and the winner will meet Il Ridoto on 7lb better terms if both take their place in the line-up.

Il Ridoto’s trainer Paul Nicholls could run Stage Star, a Grade 1 winner on the New course in last year’s Turners Novices’ Chase, off top weight in a bid for a record-extending sixth win in the race.

Other contenders with multiple Cheltenham victories on their CVs are 2022 Paddy Power Gold Cup hero Ga Law, last season’s Plate winner Shakem Up'arry and Guard Your Dreams.

Le Patron, Gemirande and Grandeur D'Ame could potentially aim to back up wins at Newbury, Ascot and Chepstow respectively. In Excelsis Deo could supply owner JP McManus with his first win in the race since Quantitativeeasing struck in 2011. Olly Murphy's Summer Cup winner Sure Touch may revert to conventional fences after finishing fifth last month's Grand Sefton at Aintree.

Chatham Street Lad won the December Gold Cup for Mick Winters in 2020 and Irish representation could be provided by Galway Plater winner Pinkerton and the Willie Mullins-trained James Du Berlais.

Visionarian was scratched by Gavin Cromwell. Hitman, Ginny's Destiny, Minella Drama, Marsh Wren, Seddon, Outlaw Peter, Richmond Lake, Imperial Saint, Lounge Lizard, Genois, Kotmask, Issar D'Airy and Springwell Bay were the others not to be confirmed.

December Gold Cup confirmations

Stage Star
Ga Law
James Du Berlais
Le Patron
Fugitif
Il Ridoto
Shakem Up'arry
Pinkerton
Sure Touch
In Excelsis Deo
Madara
Gemirande
Guard Your Dreams
Grandeur D'Ame

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