Stolen Silver shortens for Paddy Power Gold Cup and Edwardstone doubt for Shloer

Stolen Silver has cemented his position at the head of the market for the Paddy Power Gold Cup (2.20) as Sam Thomas bids to claim another big handicap success for owner Dai Walters.

The pair teamed up to claim the Grand Sefton with Al Dancer last week and could claim Saturday's feature £160,000 handicap with Stolen Silver, who has shortened in price at the head of the market to 4-1 (from 11-2).

The seven-year-old seeks to land back-to-back successes at Cheltenham after cruising to an 11-length victory in the Silver Trophy in April under the retained Sam Twiston-Davies, who also partnered Stolen Silver to fourth place in the Plate.

Also receiving market support for Saturday's feature contest is Midnight River, who seeks to deliver Dan Skelton his first success in the Paddy Power Gold Cup.

Midnight River: backed on Saturday morning for the Paddy Power Gold CupCredit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

The seven-year-old was a comfortable scorer on his seasonal debut at Stratford last month, his first chasing start outside novice company, when romping home by 25 lengths under Harry Skelton.

Skelton retains the ride and Midnight River has been trimmed into 9-1 (from 14) to deliver a sixth career success in the £160,000 feature handicap under 11st 3lb.

A field of 14 runners are due to contest the Paddy Power Gold Cup, with Editeur Du Gite and Happygolucky both ruled out ahead of the race.

Posted at 12.30pm

Market movers

12.35
Blueking Doroux 6-4 (from 15-8)
Mr Freedom 5-1 (from 13-2)

1.10
Castle Robin 4-1 (from 8)

2.20
Stolen Silver 4-1 (from 11-2)
Midnight River 9-1 (from 14)

2.55
Gin Coco 6-1 (from 10)
Shearer 3-1 (from 7-2)

Updated at 12.20pm

Shloer Chase favourite Edwardstone not a certain runner on Sunday

The Shloer Chase (1.45) is one of Sunday's main attractions at Cheltenham but one of the key players is not certain to run, according to Alan King.

Last season's Arkle winner Edwardstone is odds-on favourite for the Shloer, but King said on Saturday morning that he is far from a certain runner due to the ground.

Edwardstone: Arkle winner is not a certain runner in the ShloerCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

"I will see what the ground is like on Sunday but I won't take any chances with him and he may not run," the trainer said.

Nube Negra won the Shloer Chase by six lengths last season and is in contention for a repeat victory, with Daly Tiger, Ganapathi and Sizing Pottsie also declared.

Posted at 10.20am

Cheltenham set for dry day with going unchanged

The going at Cheltenham remains good for the Paddy Power Gold Cup, the headline race on the second day of the November meeting.

Selective watering took place following Friday's card, with around 5mm to 7mm put on areas of the track to maintain conditions.

Another dry day is expected ahead, with reduced winds anticipated by clerk of the course Jon Pullin.

"We did some selective watering last night after racing and the going remains good for Saturday, it's all been straightforward," Pullin said.

"We haven't moved any rails overnight and it very much remains another dry forecast ahead. There will be a light wind but it's settled a lot more and there's no concern there."

In Ireland, the going at Naas is yielding to soft, soft in places ahead of their eight-race jumps card, which features the seasonal return of Tingle Creek hopeful Gentleman De Mee (2.05).

Cheltenham Festival winner Brazil also features at Naas, where he takes on Fil Dor in the first of two Grade 3 races on the card at 12.55.

Posted at 9.00am

Non-runners

Cheltenham

12.35
3 Cabrakan (not eaten up)
8 Super Stars (travel)

1.10
1 Bobhopeornohope (going), 4 Valsheda (going), 5 Didero Vallis (going), 11 Big Nasty (going)

1.45
4 Monmiral (going)

2.20
2 Editeur Du Gite (self cert), 5 Happygolucky (going)

3.30
8 Mahons Glory (lame), 9 Nocte Volatus (going), 13 Alvaro (not eaten up)

Naas

12.55
4 Lunar Power (ran on Friday)

1.30
10 Bold Getaway (lame)

3.30
3 Champagne Fame (in season)

Saturday previews:

1.45 Cheltenham: Can Pentland Hills buck the trends to win on Cheltenham chase bow?

2.20 Cheltenham: 'He has the right profile for this' - top trainers on the Paddy Power Gold Cup

2.55 Cheltenham: Why this intriguing jockey booking could be key to Lisnagar Oscar bouncing back

3.30 Cheltenham: 'He might lack experience but he's got the ability' - will a future star emerge?

Lingfield: Aidan O'Brien's Bolshoi Ballet bids to bounce back before trip to Hong Kong

Naas: 'The Tingle Creek is the plan' - can Gentleman De Mee make a winning return?

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