Paul Nicholls holds strong hand in Paddy Power Gold Cup - but a bigger-priced runner catches the eye for Gavin Cromwell

Punters are always on the lookout for a Grade 1 horse in a big handicap and we have one among the five-day entries for the Paddy Power Gold Cup in Protektorat. The problem is everyone is well aware of that.  

The Ryanair winner’s presence is significant, as seven of the field will be wrong at the weights if he lines up. That seems likely, given he finished second in the race three years ago on a similar surface. He needs to get started and a more aggressive campaign suited him last term.

Directly beneath Protektorat at the front end of the weights are Ga Law and Ginny’s Destiny. Ga Law made his chasing debut more than four years ago and we know where we stand with him, whereas Ginny’s Destiny is a smart second-season chaser with an ideal Paddy Power profile. He could be that Grade 1 horse whose handicap days are numbered.