Confirmed runners and riders for the 2021 Racing Post Gold Cup at Cheltenham

Leading Racing Post Gold Cup fancy Alnadam will not run in Saturday's big handicap chase at Cheltenham on Saturday (1.50).

The Dan Skelton-trained eight-year-old had been an 11-2 shot after being backed in from double figure prices, but he does not feature in the final field of 15 for the £130,000 contest.

Skelton had warned Alnadam would only run if the ground was soft or easier and conditions were described as good to soft, good in places at Cheltenham on Thursday morning.

Racing Post Gold Cup: card and betting

The trainer, who also took out Amoola Gold (who runs in the 1.15) and Knight In Dubai, will still be represented by Beakstown, who carries the joint-second lowest weight.

Midnight Shadow will bid to follow up last month's Paddy Power Gold Cup success and become the first horse since Exotic Dancer in 2006 to win both races.

Midnight Shadow was left in the lead two fences out following the fall of Coole Cody, who will look to make amends for Evan Williams, while third-placed Lalor, the Racing Post Gold Cup favourite at 9-2, and Dostal Phil, who was fourth, also return to Cheltenham.

Rachael Blackmore, at the track to ride Ballyadam against six rivals including Song For Someone and Sceau Royal in the Unibet International Hurdle (3.00), has been booked by Venetia Williams for Farinet.

Irish raider Noble Yeats, Dashel Drasher and Kauto Riko were the remaining horses not declared for the Racing Post Gold Cup.

With Bob Olinger staying at home in Ireland, My Drogo faces three rivals – Captain Cuckoo, Jay Bee Why and Torn And Frayed – in the bearrene.com Novices' Chase (12.40).

Racing Post Gold Cup runners and riders

Cepage Charlie Deutsch
Midnight Shadow Ryan Mania
Fusil Raffles Daryl Jacob
Lalor Harry Cobden
Silver Hallmark Nico de Boinville
Zanza Tom O'Brien
Dostal Phil Aidan Coleman
Francky Du Berlais Sean Bowen
Siruh Du Lac Tom Scudamore
Coole Cody Adam Wedge
Deyrann De Carjac Brendan Powell
Farinet Rachael Blackmore
Joke Dancer Sean Quinlan
Beakstown Harry Skelton
Topofthecotswolds Sam Twiston-Davies

Racing Post Gold Cup

Coral: 9-2 Lalor, 13-2 Dostal Phil, Midnight Shadow, 7 Coole Cody, Silver Hallmark, 15-2 Fusil Raffles, 9 Farinet, 11 Zanza, 12 bar

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