Davy Russell passed fit for Gold Cup day rides including big-race fancy Galvin

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Going update: conditions improve

The ground has dried out slightly overnight with the going described as good to soft, soft in places (from soft) for Gold Cup day.

There was fog at the track early this morning but that is expected to clear around 9am, with a dry and bright day forecast. Temperatures are set to peak at 15C.

Clerk of the course Jon Pullin said: "It was a drying day yesterday and we've updated the going this morning to good to soft, soft in places on both courses.

"We had fog first thing but that is starting to clear and should have lifted by 9am. We're expecting a dry, bright and sunny day and we're happy with conditions.

"It depends on how soon the fog lifts, but if it is a bright and warm morning we could see another going change before racing if the ground dries out further."

Updated at 7.45am

Market movers: support for Tornado

King George VI Chase hero Tornado Flyer is proving most popular among the double-figure priced runners in the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup.

The Willie Mullins-trained nine-year-old comes here fresh from Kempton and has been backed into 11-1 (from 14).

This will be his first try over the trip but he has ran well on three previous outings over shorter at the Cheltenham Festival, finishing third in the 2018 Champion Bumper, fifth in the 2020 Marsh Novices' Chase and a staying-on third in last year's Ryanair Chase.

A Plus Tard replaced Galvin at the head of the betting earlier this morning and is a best price 3-1 with bet365 and William Hill.

The Cheveley Park Stud-owned eight-year-old was second to stablemate Minella Indo in this race last year and drying conditions are in his favour.

Galvin is out to 4-1 (from 10-3), Minella Indo is steady at 6-1 to strike for a second time and Protektorat is on the drift and now 11-1 (from 9).

Connections of Royale Pagaille would have preferred for the rain to keep coming and he has drifted to 16-1 (from 9).

2.10 Broomfield Burg 16-1 (from 22)
3.30 A Plus Tard 3-1 (from 7-2), Tornado Flyer 11-1 (from 14)
5.30 Five O'Clock 12-1 (from 16)

Updated at 11am

Cheltenham Festival tips: one key runner from each ITV race on Friday

Non-runners: four absentees

2.50 Falcon Eight (dehydrated), The Real Whacker (lame)
4.10 Zamparelli (going)
5.30 Reserve Tank (going)

Updated at 11am

Top stories: McCoy assesses Gold Cup

Sir Anthony McCoy described Gold Cup favourite A Plus Tard as "not that easy a ride" when assessing the tactics to the Cheltenham Festival showpiece.

McCoy won the race on Synchronised ten years ago and believes Rachael Blackmore will have to time A Plus Tard's challenge just right to give him every chance of reversing last year's form with Minella Indo.

McCoy, who featured on ITV's Opening Show on Friday morning, said: "This is the big day in jump racing and everyone sets out trying to win the Gold Cup. You need lots of stamina to win the Gold Cup and I don't think A Plus Tard is that easy a ride. He followed Minella Indo around the bend and into the straight last year and wasn't able to get past him and he took it up at the last at Leopardstown and Galvin got past him.

"He's a very good traveller and a very pacey horse but staying is a little worry for him if he gets to the front too soon. Getting close to Minella Indo and getting past Minella Indo are two different things as we saw last year."

Sir Anthony McCoy (centre): gave his Gold Cup views on ITV's Opening ShowCredit: Alan Crowhurst / Getty Images

Blackmore picked Minella Indo, the mount of Robbie Power, as the main threat to A Plus Tard.

Blackmore said: "I think Minella Indo is the biggest danger – he lights up around here. He's in fantastic form and ran really well the last day. Henry has the two horses in tip-top shape."

Expert picks: why this horse can win the 2022 Cheltenham Gold Cup

Russell passed fit for big-race rides

Davy Russell was passed fit to take his four mounts on Gold Cup day after being assessed by the BHA's medical team.

Russell stood himself down on Thursday after being brought down from Sassy Yet Classy in the Pertemps and falling on Conflated in the Ryanair Chase.

He will be back in the saddle for the final day though and has some leading chances, including Gold Cup fancy Galvin in a race he won eight years ago aboard Lord Windermere.

Fil Dor is a leading contender for Russell in the Triumph Hurdle (1.30) and festival winner Mount Ida is his ride in the Mares' Chase (4.50). County Hurdle (2.10) contender Top Bandit completes his mounts.

Updated at 1.20pm

Best of social media: a foggy morning

Posted at 7.55am

Friday's Cheltenham Festival previews:

1.30 Cheltenham: who will come out on top between star juveniles Pied Piper and Vauban?

2.10 Cheltenham: 'He's got a big chance' - who fancies their chances in a red-hot County Hurdle?

2.50 Cheltenham: 'He's got the class and the form' - leading Albert Bartlett quotes and insight

4.10 Cheltenham: which trainer is taking the best horse he's ever brought to Cheltenham?

4.50 Cheltenham: Willie Mullins once again has good reason to be hopeful about the mares' chase

5.30 Cheltenham: 'He'll run a huge race' - is there a dark horse lurking in the Martin Pipe?

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