BetVictor Gold Cup takes centre stage as Cheltenham going eases

Staged in a few guises, the BetVictor Gold Cup is among the major pre-Christmas prizes of the jumps campaign and often a stepping stone to bigger and better things.

Exotic Dancer won it in 2006 before locking horns with the mighty Kauto Star numerous times at the top table, while two years later subsequent Gold Cup winner Imperial Commander struck.

It is the main course on a Cheltenham menu that also features the JCB Triumph Trial Juvenile Hurdle in which Apple's Jade's little sister Apple's Shakira makes her British debut.

The going on Saturday morning was changed to soft, good to soft in places, from good to soft.

There are also jumps meetings at Wetherby and Uttoxeter – and from Punchestown in Ireland – today, but Lingfield's Flat fixture muscles in on the action on ITV, which screens the track's two Listed contests.

Going report

Lingfield 11.55 first race
Standard.

Punchestown 12.05
Soft to heavy.

Uttoxeter 12.20
Good to soft over hurdles and good to soft, to soft in places on chase course. GoingStick 7.5 (chase) and 7.8 (hurdle) at 6.45am on Saturday.

Wetherby 12.30
Good to soft (GoingStick 6.2 (chase) and 6.6 (hurdle at 2.45pm on Thursday). Rail movements; R1 +72y, R2 +42y, R3 +96y, R4 +84y, R5 & 7 +48y, R6 +66y.

Cheltenham 12.40
Soft, good to soft in places. Rail movements; R1 & 7 +56y, R2 & 3 +88y, R4 +30y, R5 +120y, R6 +58y.

Wolverhampton 5.45
Standard.

Market movers

Lingfield 11.55
Gaudi 6-4f (from 7-4f)

Cheltenham 3.00
Connetable 16-1 (from 20)

Cheltenham 4.00
Dory 14-1 (from 16)

What to back

It's a Saturday so that means Tom Segal is at the Pricewise controls, while David Jennings has the View From Ireland. Gerald Delamere, Kevin Morley and our Tips Box aces are also on hand to guide you through the plays and lays.

What to read

Lee Mottershead sets the scene in Opening Show and we have comprehensive previews of the Cheltenham races.

Nicky Henderson is not happy with some of the reaction to Altior's setback and Noel Fehily talks about his fine run.

Sam Twiston-Davies and Willie Mullins are also back with their winter columns.

What to watch

Top tips for the day's fixtures ...

... while you have to wait only ten seconds for Danny Hayes's best bet ...

... and Sam Twiston-Davies guides you through some horses to note for the coming months ...

The best of Racing Post Sport

The team tackle Arsenal v Tottenham and words of wisdom from Mark Langdon and Kevin Pullein can be found here.

Final thought

Nicky Henderson was hit by Altior's setback but his string are in decent form so his six runners today merit closer inspection.