Morning updates: Grade 1-winning chaser a market mover in the December Gold Cup with 'perfect' ground in store at Cheltenham

Stage Star is a big drifter in the betting for the Nyetimber December Gold Cup (1.50), the big race of the day at Cheltenham.

The Paul Nicholls-trained eight-year-old has enjoyed some of his finest days at the track, including when landing Grade 1 glory in the Turners Novices' Chase in 2023 before he impressively won the Paddy Power Gold Cup last season.

However, he has yet to fire since that success last November, including when fourth on his comeback in the Old Roan Chase in October, and has been very weak in the market on Saturday morning for the competitive handicap chase.

Having been the 5-1 second-favourite early doors, Stage Star is now an 8-1 chance, with last year's winner Fugitif and Ga Law surpassing him in the betting.

However, Grade 1 winner Le Patron has been a popular early market mover to notch more notable success.

The six-year-old enjoyed his biggest day last season when landing the Henry VIII Novices' Chase just over a year ago and has the honour of being Gary Moore's last Grade 1 winner on a sole licence.

Gary now shares the duties alongside son Josh, and Le Patron bids to give them their biggest success since becoming a training partnership in the competitive handicap chase. He is now a general 10-1, but as short as 8-1 in places, having been a 12-1 chance overnight.

Le Patron made a stunning return when a seven-length winner of a handicap chase at Newbury's Coral Gold Cup meeting and also aims to give conditional rider Freddie Mitchell the biggest win of his career. Madara remains the 3-1 favourite for the December Gold Cup.

Updated at 9.35am

Good to soft all over at Cheltenham

Cheltenham has the "perfect jumping ground" for the second day of its Christmas meeting after the going was slightly eased overnight.

The ground is described as good to soft all over the track, from good to soft, good in places, ahead of the seven-race card, which begins with a JCB Triumph Hurdle Trial at 12.10.

Speaking at 7.40am, clerk of the course Jon Pullin said: "It's certainly different weather to last weekend. It was damp and drizzly overnight and we had 1mm of rain. I've just taken out the good in places because of that as it's fallen on opened up ground we've been racing on, but it's perfect jumping ground."

The highlight of the day is the Nyetimber December Gold Cup (1.50), in which all 11 runners still stand their ground.

Doncaster also stages three races on ITV alongside four from Cheltenham. The going at the South Yorkshire track is good to soft, good in places on the chase track and good to soft, soft in places on the hurdles course.

Posted at 8.05am

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'This has been the plan for some time' - top trainers on their big December Gold Cup hopes

Master Chewy up against familiar foes as he bids to bounce back from Tingle Creek fall

'I'm not sure where his ceiling level is' - can mega improver Skyjack Hijack make it seven wins in a row?

Can Joyeuse live up to her pedigree and prove a class apart for Nicky Henderson off a basement BHA rating?

'He's extremely well handicapped' - Chasing Fire among a host of intriguing runners in ultra-competitive chase