Cheltenham live: Kemboy backed in Gold Cup as punters put their faith in Mullins

With the ground drying out at Cheltenham the money has started to come for Kemboy, an impressive winner at both Aintree and Punchestown last spring having unshipped David Mullins at the first in the Gold Cup 12 months ago.

There was plenty of 10-1 about early on Friday but, with Delta Work, Santini and Clan Des Obeaux all easy to back in the face of Willie Mullins-trained stablemate Al Boum Photo's strength at the top of the market, Kemboy has been popular each-way and is now generally trading at around the 8-1 mark.

Al Boum Photo continues to be a solid favourite, with bookmakers trimming the defending champion from 100-30 into 3-1 to become the first horse since Best Mate to win back-to-back runnings during the course of the morning.

Lostintranslation has taken a walk in the betting, perhaps reflecting punters' concerns trainer Colin Tizzard has had just one placed horse from 12 runners at Cheltenham this week.

Goshen: three from three over hurdles this seasonCredit: Edward Whitaker

Since the turn of the century the JCB Triumph Hurdle (1.30) has become the preserve of the big-name yards with arguably only John Quinn and the late Dessie Hughes interrupting the sequence.

But punters are putting their faith in Gary Moore to put one over Nicholls, Henderson and Mullins yards in the Friday opener, with Goshen, who has landed the spoils at odds-on in three starts over hurdles, now a general 9-4 favourite.

So impressive on his British debut in the Adonis Hurdle at Kempton last month, Solo attracted money first thing on Friday but is now as big as 4-1 to give Paul Nicholls a third Triumph success, while the stable's second string Sir Psycho, who ploughed through the mud to win at Haydock last time out, is also weak in the market on the drying ground.

Thyme Hill and Latest Exhibition have both been weak at the head of the market for the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle (2.50), with Monkfish coming in for support and now challenging for favouritism.

Going continues to dry out for Gold Cup

Conditions for Gold Cup day quickened up on Friday morning with the ground on the chase course changed to good to soft, soft in places (from soft, good to soft in places).

Conditions have dried out at Cheltenham since ThursdayCredit: Edward Whitaker

The going remained soft, good to soft in places on the hurdles track with a dry forecast for the last day of the festival.

Runners on the chase course will be racing on five yards of fresh ground, not raced on since Gold Cup day last year.

Clerk of the course Simon Claisse said: "We've flipped around the going on the chase course to good to soft, soft in places after it was dry yesterday and overnight. I would be surprised if we went the same way with the hurdle track as the inside on the New chase course is that fraction quicker.

"The chance of showers is pretty remote and although it's dry, it is quite cool."

Today's non-runners

2.10
22 You Raised Me Up (self-certificate); 23 Minella Charmer (sc)

4.10
6 Chosen Dream (declared non-runner by BHA vet at the course)
7 Don Bersy (sc)

4.50
12 Caid Du Lin (sc); 18 Adrrastos (sc)

5.30
1 Braid Blue (going); 6 Assemble (vet's certificate)

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