Brelan D'As backed to give Nicholls a sixth victory in Caspian Caviar

Caspain Caviar Gold Cup (1.55) hope Brelan D'As has been well backed this morning, with punters expecting the eight-year-old to continue trainer Paul Nicholls' excellent record in the race.

William Hill are as short as 4-1 (from 6s) about Brelan D'As to go one better than when second to Happy Diva in the BetVictor Gold Cup at Cheltenham last month.

Nicholls has won five of the last ten runnings of the £130,000 contest and also saddles the classy Secret Investor.

The Grade 3 handicap has been reduced to 13 runners after Benatar was declared a non-runner due to the going, with Lalor and Riders Onthe Storm taken out of the race on Friday.

Paul Nicholls: Caspian Caviar winners

2018: Frodon
Cheltenham specialist who defeated Cepage in the Caspian Caviar last season before going on to secure victories in the Cotswold Chase and the Ryanair Chase.

2016: Frodon
The first of Frodon's wins came at the expense of the Veneitia Williams-trained Aso. Available at 14-1, the then four-year-old proved too strong, eventually winning by a length and a half.

2012: Unioniste
Tasted Caspian Caviar success on just his third start for Nicholls, pulling 11 lengths clear of favourite Walkon. He went on to run well behind Lord Windermere in the RSA Chase at the festival the following March.

2010: Poquelin
Ian Popham celebrated a first Graded success when this 16-1 shot secured back-to-back victories in the historic December handicap. Future Grand National runner-up Sunnyhillboy finished third.

2009: Poquelin
A well-backed 7-2 favourite, Poquelin secured the first of his Caspian Caviar victories is effortless fashion under Ruby Walsh. The pair pulled seven lengths clear of runner-up Razor Royale.

The Grade 2 International Hurdle (3.05) features plenty attempting to solidify their Champion Hurdle aspirations.

Nicky Henderson saddles the top two in the betting, with this morning Call Me Lord joining Pentland Hills atop the market at 5-2 with William Hill.

The Simon Munir & Isaac Souede-owned six-year-old was priced around 11-4 overnight.

In the opening 2m juvenile hurdle (12.10), Botox Has has also seen come in for considerable support.

As big as 13-8 this morning, the Gary Moore-trained four-year-old is now a best-priced 11-8 with Betfair as he bids to follow up last month's excellent runner-up performance behind Allmankind.

Clerk of the course Simon Claisse said: "We had a few overnight showers but nothing that will have impacted the ground. We're going on soft, good to soft in places and it should be a dry and bright afternoon."

Paddy Power market movers

12.45: Champagne Platinum 11-4 from 7-2
1.20: Eamon An Cnoic 11-2 from 10
1.55: Good Man Pat 5 from 13-2, Benatar 9 from 12
2.30 Redford Road 15-2 from 10
3.05 Monsieur Lecoq 12 from 16
3.40 Mega Yeats 13-2 from 14

Non-runners

12.10: 5 Repetitio, 10 Tremwedge
1.55: 3 Riders Onthe Storm, 5 Lalor, 6 Benatar
3.05: 7 Big Blue
3.40: 11 Brillare Momento

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