Confirmed runners and riders for the 2023 Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham - plus a big-race tip and free bet

Harry Cobden is confident Stage Star will be boosted by the return to Cheltenham when he makes his seasonal return in Saturday's Paddy Power Gold Cup (2.20), but is fully aware how tricky his challenge will be against 13 big-race rivals.

The Paul Nicholls-trained seven-year-old holds strong course-and-distance form at the home of jump racing, with the second of his two victories at the track coming in the Grade 1 Turners Novices' Chase at the festival in March.

Cobden partnered Stage Star to four wins from six starts last season, which also included handicap success on Trials day at Cheltenham in January, and the rider believes another strong performance can be expected this weekend.

Of Paddy Power's 7-2 favourite, Cobden said: "Having form over course and distance is always a positive. We know he handles the ground and track, and in my opinion he's better round there than anywhere else.

"He seems in great form at home and I'm really looking forward to riding him. Paul has obviously banged the work into him to make sure he doesn't need the run on Saturday.

"I schooled with him during the week and he jumped well. He's really a Graded horse in a handicap, but it's a red-hot race and it's nice The Real Whacker has stayed in to keep the weights down. By no means is it a penalty kick but he's got to have a great chance."

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Cobden's successful campaign on Stage Star began with a 13-length victory at Warwick last November. He then finished second at Newbury, but returned to winning ways with back-to-back victories before completing a hat-trick at the Cheltenham Festival.

Cobden added: "To win at Cheltenham on the big stage is pretty phenomenal and you couldn't really fault him last season. He might have had one bad run at Newbury, but there could have been something wrong with him that day."

The Laura Morgan-trained Notlongtillmay, who finished three and a quarter lengths behind Stage Star at the festival, has been declared for the £160,000 contest and Cobden is cautious of his threat.

"He's probably one of the main dangers," he added. "I know we finished in front at Cheltenham, but he's already had a run this season and I presume it's been their target from the word go – he's obviously been campaigned for this race."

Morgan will be doubly represented in the race, with Whistleinthedark also declared to run. The eight-year-old is bidding for a five-timer after winning four of his five starts last season.

Champion trainer Nicholls will also rely on Il Ridoto, a winner on Trials day at Cheltenham in January and who will be making his seasonal reappearance.

Paddy Power Gold Cup: Saturday's feature race at CheltenhamCredit: Edward Whitaker

The Dan Skelton-trained Unexpected Party, who finished fifth to Stage Star at Cheltenham in March, makes his second appearance of the campaign after winning on his return in a Listed contest at Chepstow last month.

The consistent Fugitif finished second behind Seddon in the Plate and makes his seasonal reappearance for Richard Hobson, while the Sam Thomas-trained Angels Breath returns to the track after finishing runner-up to Pinnacle Peak over hurdles last month.

The challenge from Ireland will come from the Willie Mullins-trained Authorized Art and Gavin Cromwell-trained Final Orders.

The field is completed by Black Gerry, Easy As That, Torn And Frayed and Harper's Brook.

Eleven runners have been declared for the Grade 2 Prestbury Juvenile Hurdle (12.35) including Burdett Road, Milan Tino and An Bradan Feasa.

Meanwhile, Mister Coffey, Weveallbeencaught and Good Risk At All feature among six declarations for the Listed From The Horse's Mouth Podcast Novices' Chase (1.45).

Facile Vega set for chasing debut at Navan

Willie Mullins has declared Facile Vega for his first start over fences in a 2m1f beginners' chase (3.15) at Navan, but it looks a competitive heat with Inthepocket, Saint Felicien and Dreal Deal among the 12 runners.

The Grade 2 Lismullen Hurdle (2.05) was won by Home By The Lee last season and he faces five rivals this time round, including Sire Du Berlais, Bob Olinger and Zanahiyr.

The other Grade 2 on the card, the Bar One Fortria Chase (2.40), has attracted five runners, including Captain Guinness, Saint Roi and Dysart Dynamo.

Paddy Power Gold Cup confirmed runners and riders

• The Real Whacker Sam Twiston-Davies
• Stage Star Harry Cobden
• Fugitif Gavin Sheehan
• Authorized Art Daniel Mullins
• Notlongtillmay Adam Wedge
• Final OrdersDanny Gilligan
• Unexpected Party Harry Skelton
• Il Ridoto Freddie Gingell
• Whistleinthedark Kevin Brogan
• Angels Breath Jonathan Burke
• Black GerryJamie Moore
• Easy As That Charlie Deutsch
• Torn And Frayed Tom Bellamy
• Harper's Brook Kielan Woods

Paddy Power Gold Cup betting odds for Saturday's race

Paddy Power: 7-2 Stage Star, 11-2 Unexpected Party, 13-2 The Real Whacker, 7 Il Ridoto, Notlongtillmay, 10 Fugitif, 11 Angels Breath, 14 Final Orders, Harper's Brook, 16 Easy As That, Torn And Frayed, 20 Whistleinthedark, 25 Authorized Art, 33 Black Gerry

Paddy Power Gold Cup betting tip and 1-2-3 prediction

By Stuart Redding

1 Angels Breath
2 Stage Star
3 Unexpected Party

There are plenty to consider in the first of Cheltenham's big handicap chases and Angels Breath is one that catches my eye. He spent more than three years on the sidelines but finished second over an insufficient 2m at Chepstow in April and took another step in the right direction over hurdles here three weeks ago. That should have put him cherry-ripe for this return to his favoured discipline. Grade 1 winner Stage Star is another to consider.

Angels Breath14:20 Cheltenham

View Racecard

Jky: Jonathan Burke Tnr: Sam Thomas

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