'He's a player' - leading trainer insight before a classy Racing Post Gold Cup

Saturday: 1.50 Cheltenham
Racing Post Gold Cup (Grade 3) | 2m4½f | 4yo+ |ITV4/RTV

Dan Skelton showed what a fine training talent he is at Cheltenham's last meeting when getting West Cork, who had been off for a whopping 631 days, primed to strike in the Greatwood Hurdle, and another of the track's big handicaps could be going the yard's way if a major market move for Beakstown on Friday is anything to go by.

Yet to win over fences, Beakstown had been off for 606 days before a pleasing third at Aintree last month, and was slashed to 15-2 (from 12) by Ladbrokes, whose Nicola McGeady said: "Support for Dan Skelton's horses is becoming a theme every weekend and, given the yard’s form, it's no surprise to see Beakstown is the latest gamble."

The trainer is optimistic and added: "The ground is going to stay on the decent side, which brings him into it. I had Alnadam in the race for the same owner if the ground had gone really soft, but that's not going to happen.

"Beakstown is a player and will 100 per cent take a step forward fitness-wise from his last run."

What they say

Venetia Williams, trainer of Cepage and Farinet
It's Cepage's first start of the season and he's got plenty on his plate. He's run well around Cheltenham many times and I expect a pretty good run again. Farinet is taking another step up in class and further rain would be helpful. He gets in with a nice weight and we're hopeful of a good performance.

Sue Smith, trainer of Midnight Shadow
Midnight Shadow is ready to go and is in great form – the ground should be fine. He's got a bit more weight than when he won the Paddy Power.

Nicky Henderson, trainer of Fusil Raffles
He's in good form, stays and likes Cheltenham – hopefully he'll be competitive. He's a course-and-distance winner and was second to Chantry House at the festival, which is solid form.

Paul Nicholls, trainer of Lalor
He ran well in the Paddy Power and I've been happy with him since. He had all those problems so hadn't finished a race for 18 months, and that run is bound to have given him a bit of confidence. I'd be very hopeful of a good run. The track will suit him better, we're on the New course and it's a little bit stiffer.

Philip Hobbs, trainer of Zanza and Dostal Phil
They ran similar races in the Paddy Power last time, in that they were some way behind at the top of the hill but ran on strongly. With that in mind you'd think they'd have an equally good chance again. They came out of that race well and the ground will be fine.

Evan Williams, trainer of Coole Cody
He's a good, tough, genuine old boy, but it'll be very difficult to reproduce his Paddy Power run. He schooled grand in the week, but you'd be naive to think this race being run on the New course doesn't change anything as it's so different from the Old course, which plays to his strengths.

Alan King, trainer of Deyrann De Carjac
He ran pretty well at the November meeting, when he was beaten nine lengths and stayed on well, which will hopefully have sharpened him up.

Nigel Twiston-Davies, trainer of Topofthecotswolds
It was unfortunate he unseated at the first at Newbury, but he's in very good form and we hope he'll go well. He ran well the time before that so looks to have every chance.

Read all of Saturday's previews:

12.40 Cheltenham: 'With a clear run, he'll win' - Skelton seeks to move on from shock Drogo defeat

Is the Racing Post Gold Cup so simple to solve? Graeme Rodway runs the numbers (Members’ Club)

2.25 Cheltenham: Is it wise to back Byrnes or should we look elsewhere for Albert Bartlett clues?

2.40 Doncaster: 'I hope he's got the wow factor' - Porticello out to cement Triumph claims

3.00 Cheltenham: 'She loves Cheltenham and so do we' - International Hurdle quotes and insight

3.35 Cheltenham: 'They all have chances' - King triple-handed in bid to improve Cheltenham record

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