Well-fancied Venetia Williams chaser ruled out of Cheltenham Grade 3

The unseasonably good ground at Cheltenham on Saturday means Farinet, forecast to be a major player in the Paddy Power Cheltenham Countdown Podcast Handicap Chase (1.55), will not run.

Trained by the in-form Venetia Williams, Farinet won on ground described as very soft in France and his two successes in Britain have come when the going has been soft.

However, conditions at Cheltenham will be much quicker after a dry spell, so connections have withdrawn the seven-year-old, who was due to give amateur Lucy Turner a big-race ride in front of the ITV4 cameras.

Saturday's cards

His defection leaves ten runners and they include Coole Cody, last season's Paddy Power Gold Cup winner who also landed December's Racing Post Gold Cup at the track.

He is among the market leaders with Torn And Frayed and Galahad Quest.

'I'm up against it' - Lee's doubts about Sky Bet duo not mirrored in the market

Kerry Lee has a fine touch with staying chasers and it seems like punters are latching on to her prowess with them given the market moves for her pair Demachine and Storm Control in Saturday's Sky Bet Chase at Doncaster (3.20).

Lee, who has a Welsh Grand National and Classic Chase on her CV, did not appear to be bursting with optimism on Friday when telling the Racing Post: "I'm up against it with both horses as it's a very hot race, as you'd expect for a race of this nature. It would be great if either of them could finish in the frame. They will appreciate the track and trip."

The betting for the Doncaster event, the big punting heat on ITV4, speaks differently, however.

Demachine with another neat leapCredit: Edward Whitaker

Demachine, a useful novice last term and a respectable fifth in the Ladbrokes Trophy in November, had been as big as 9-1 for the Sky Bet, but was tussling with Fusil Raffles for favouritism around the 5-1 mark on Saturday morning.

Storm Control, a handy, neat jumper who impressed with two victories at Cheltenham last season, had been out of sorts until winning at Newbury recently under 10lb conditional Daire McConville, who is a shade more hopeful than his employer.

The nine-year-old, as big as 18-1 on Friday, is a general 9-1 now and McConville, who linked up with Lee in July, said: "It's a massive opportunity and it's great to get a spin in a big race like this, particularly on a fantastic horse like him.

"I'm more excited than nervous. He seems in great form and came out of Newbury really well. I'm expecting a big run, although he's back up in a higher grade. I've only had four winners under rules and he's a quality horse to sit on – I got some buzz off him at Newbury."

The Sky Bet is one of three races from Doncaster live on ITV4, which also broadcasts four from Cheltenham as the track stages its Trials day – the last action there before March's festival.

Going

Cheltenham good
Doncaster good
Uttoxeter good, good to soft in places
Lingfield standard
Kempton standard to slow
Fairyhouse good to yielding, yielding in places

Notable non-runners

Cheltenham
1.55 6 Farinet

Read our Saturday previews . . .

1.55 Cheltenham: 'He's in the form of his life' – Milton Harris bullish about Jacamar

2.30 Cheltenham: 'He's got to come through this' – D-day for big Gold Cup hope Chantry House

3.05 Cheltenham: 'Any criticism of him is surely harsh' – Graeme Rodway on Cleeve favourite Champ

3.20 Doncaster: Fusil Raffles and Cap Du Nord among leading fancies in wide-open Sky Bet Chase

3.40 Cheltenham: does Nicky Henderson hold winning formline in clash of two potential stars?

Racing Post Live is your ultimate racing watchalong every Saturday and during major festivals. Our experts offer uninterrupted tips, analysis and reactions to the ITV action. Subscribe to the Racing Post YouTube channel here and never miss a minute