Confirmed runners and riders for the December Gold Cup - plus a tip and free bet

Il Ridoto became favourite for Saturday's AIS December Gold Cup (1.50) at Cheltenham after ante-post market leader Midnight River was taken out by in-form trainer Dan Skelton due to the ground.

Midnight River looked set to try to continue the yard's remarkable run of Saturday success following big-race victories with Protektorat in the Betfair Chase, Le Milos in the Coral Gold Cup and Ashtown Lad in the Becher Chase.

The seven-year-old finished third in the Paddy Power Gold Cup on good ground at the track in November and the conditions are likely to be similar on Saturday, provided the meeting is able to go ahead.

The ground at Cheltenham was described as good on Thursday but frost covers have been placed on the course and the first day of its two-day meeting remains subject to a morning inspection on Friday.

"I know he needs the ground softer than it was in November and it's in the balance whether it will be," said Skelton. "It needs to be softer for him to win one of those races. There's no rain, the covers have been on and it's likely going to be good ground, not good to soft."

Midnight River will likely run next month and be aimed at The Paddy Power New Year's Day Handicap Chase, a Grade 3 at Cheltenham.

His absence has resulted in Il Ridoto assuming favouritism at 9-2 with Coral, with Stolen Silver next at 6-1 and War Lord at 13-2.

Coral spokesman David Stevens said: "With the red-hot Skelton team not represented by the ante-post favourite Midnight River in Saturday's big race, Il Ridoto, for the equally in-form champion trainer Paul Nicholls, now heads the betting for the AIS December Gold Cup."

Racing at Cheltenham on Friday and Saturday remains in the balance with an inspection called for 7.30am on Friday for that day's fixture.

Despite temperatures of -6C on Wednesday night, Cheltenham clerk of the course Jon Pullin gave hope for the meeting by saying the track would be fit for action if a fixture was due to take place on Thursday.

Il Ridoto is joined by stablemate Simply The Betts as Nicholls bids to extend his unrivalled December Gold Cup record to six wins.

Stolen Silver was sent off favourite for last month's Paddy Power Gold Cup, but made a jumping error at the third-last fence and unseated Sam Twiston-Davies when still in contention.

War Lord, twice a runner-up in Grade 1s, will step up in trip after finishing third on his comeback in last month's Haldon Gold Cup.

Nicky Henderson has decided to run First Street alongside stablemate Epatante in a five-strong field for the Unibet International Hurdle (2.25) on the same card.

The trainer had been thinking about holding back Gerry Feilden winner First Street for next Saturday's Betfair Exchange Trophy at Ascot, but he has been declared with Nico de Boinville in the saddle.

The pair will face Greatwood Hurdle winner I Like To Move It, Elite Hurdle scorer Knappers Hill and the Denis Hogan-trained Zoffanien.

Doncaster is also scheduled to stage meetings on Friday and Saturday, but officials have called an inspection at 9am for Friday's fixture.

On Saturday's card, Scriptwriter features in the field of nine for the Listed bet365 Summit Juvenile Hurdle (1.30), where his rivals could include Nusret and Medyaf. All three of those runners have also been declared for the JCB Triumph Trial (12.05), which opens Cheltenham's card on Saturday.

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December Gold Cup confirmed runners and riders

Stolen SilverSam Twiston-Davies
Simply The BettsMr David Maxwell
War Lord Brendan Powell
Cheddleton Sean Quinlan
Sole PretenderMichael O'Sullivan (5)
Frero BanbouCharlie Deutsch
Fern Hill Jack Quinlan
Fantastic Lady Nico de Boinville
Il Ridoto Harry Cobden
Kauto Riko David Noonan
Fugitif Kielan Woods
Jacamar Jonathan Burke
Coconut Splash Adam Wedge
Storm Control Richard Patrick
Deyrann De Carjac Tom Cannon

Coral: 9-2 Il Ridoto, 6 Stolen Silver, 13-2 War Lord, 7 Fantastic Lady, 8 Frero Banbou, 11 Coconut Splash, 12 Deyrann De Carjac, Simply The Betts, Sole Pretender, 16 Fern Hill, Fugitif, 18 Cheddleton, 25 Storm Control, 28 Kauto Riko, 33 Jacamar

December Gold Cup verdict and 1-2 prediction

1 SOLE PRETENDER
2 Stolen Silver

Irish raider Sole Pretender gets the vote in a typically competitive running of this valuable handicap. The eight-year-old kicked off his chase career with wins at Ballinrobe and Roscommon in the early summer and has regularly run creditably in defeat since then, including twice at Cheltenham. A 2m Grade 2 proved too tough for him last time but this longer trip can help him exploit a workable mark.
Stuart Redding, tipster

This content was first published in Stuart Redding's tipping column in Wednesday's Racing Post Weekender. Read more from Stuart and star Weekender contributors such as leading tipsters Tom Segal and Paul Kealy and exclusive columnist Alan King every week

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