'I'm optimistic he'll run a big race' - Smith bullish for Racing Post Gold Cup

Midnight Shadow, the impressive winner of last month's Paddy Power Gold Cup, is set to try to capture Cheltenham's other big pre-Christmas handicap chase after being all but given the green light for Saturday's Racing Post Gold Cup.

Trained by Sue Smith for Cyril Clarke and his wife Aafke, Midnight Shadow has also won the Relkeel Hurdle and Dipper Novices' Chase at Cheltenham, and was second in last year's edition of the Racing Post Gold Cup, but was better than ever when successful in the Paddy Power four weeks ago.

In the immediate aftermath of that victory the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase was mentioned as a possible next stop for the classy eight-year-old, who was among 21 confirmations for the Racing Post Gold Cup on Monday.

The King George has not been ruled out by Smith, who will see how her stable star – described by the trainer as a "once-in-a-lifetime horse" – fares on Saturday when trying to repeat the feat of Exotic Dancer, the last horse to win both Cheltenham races in 2006.

Watch Midnight Shadow win the Paddy Power Gold Cup

"He seems in very good form and we're very happy with him," she said on Monday of the 10-1 shot with Paddy Power and Betfair.

"Mr and Mrs Clarke were quite keen to come back for this race and we'd have to see how he comes out of it if there were thoughts of the King George.

"He took the Paddy Power very well, although we'd like Dashel Drasher to stay in at the top of the weights to help us a bit, even though our fella is a strong-made horse.

"He loves it around Cheltenham and you'd have to say it was a career-best in the Paddy Power. He did it in grand style, bar one little peck on landing, which steadied him, but he picked up and ran on well.

"He's up 7lb for that and you'd always like less, but it could have been worse."

Saturday's potential big-race runners at Cheltenham

The going at Cheltenham was good on Monday, but rain is forecast on Tuesday and more could fall later in the week.

"He won the Paddy Power on good to softish, but we'll have to see what the weather does," Smith added. "He's pretty versatile and I don't know how much difference being on Cheltenham's New course will make, but he does go well there. I'm optimistic he'll run a very big race."

Midnight Shadow is set to face a high-quality field that is likely to include Paddy Power Gold Cup third Lalor, who is as short as 4-1 for the £130,000 Grade 3 contest.

Bob Olinger: entered in the novice chase at Cheltenham on SaturdayCredit: Edward Whitaker

Cheltenham's card on Saturday also features the Grade 2 Unibet International Hurdle, which has attracted nine entries including the consistent and talented Sceau Royal and Supreme Novices' Hurdle second Ballyadam, who has not shone over fences this autumn.

Ballyadam is trained by Henry de Bromhead, who could sprinkle further stardust on the meeting by running Bob Olinger, a potential world-beater on the evidence of his win in the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March, in the novice chase.

That contest could prove compelling viewing as Dan Skelton, whose Alnadam would have strong claims in the Racing Post Gold Cup in testing conditions, has already signalled his intent to run the equally exciting My Drogo, a dramatic penultimate-fence faller when odds-on for his chasing debut at Cheltenham last month.

Racing Post Gold Cup betting
bet365: 5 Lalor, 7 Dostal Phil, 8 Alnadam, Midnight Shadow, Silver Hallmark, 10 Coole Cody, Noble Yeats, 12 Fusil Raffles, Zanza, 14 bar

On the free Racing Post app you can check out the latest prices, get best odds guaranteed and place bets on the Racing Post Gold Cup. Head to the racecard to view the runners, and once you've decided tap the odds button and place your bets.

Read these next:

Nicholls sweet on Lalor in Racing Post Gold Cup after Paddy Power comeback

What's on this week: Santini could return in the build-up to another big Saturday at Cheltenham

Sign up to receive The Ante-Postman, Robbie Wilders' new weekly newsletter. Get weekend tips, Cheltenham Festival fancies and big-race selections delivered straight to your inbox.