Should Gordon Elliott followers be worried? And who is the trainer to be with?

A thrilling week is drawing to a close, and a fascinating denouement awaits at the Cheltenham Festival.

With seven races left to go, punters will be looking for any angles they can find to try and finish the week on a high.

Here is a look at three trainers who have had contrasting fortunes so far – but could all be leaving Prestbury Park with a few more winners under their belts?

Gordon Elliott

The Cullentra trainer may be second in the leading trainer standings after winners with Commander Of Fleet and Delta Work, but equally he must be frustrated with how some of his horses are performing.

Those two winners represent a below-par return from 49 runners and Thursday's card saw 20 runners fail to post a single top-three finish between them, with fancied horses Grand Paradis and Frontal Assault in the later handicap chases both pulled up.

Last year's National Hunt Chase winner Galvin is Elliott's challenger in the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup (3.30) and followers of his yard should have more of a handle on his form by then as he has several chances beforehand.

Galvin: rock-solid chance in the Boodles Gold CupCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Both the trainer's Triumph Hurdle hopes, Fil Dor and Pied Piper, ran with huge credit but equally could not lay a glove on Vauban. Elliott fires four at the County Hurdle (2.10) and has Ginto among the favourites in the Albert Bartlett (2.50).

Later on the card, Elliott also has Mount Ida in the Mares' Chase (4.50) as well as six runners in the closing Martin Pipe (5.30).

Venetia Williams

In contrast, Venetia Williams has enjoyed a superb week from few runners. Despite beginning the week with concerns over a virus in her yard, she has already added two winners to her festival tally, including a Grade 1, from just eight runners.

L'Homme Presse won the Brown Advisory in splendid style and she fielded a 1-3 in Thursday's Kim Muir with Chambard and Fidelio Vallis. Funambule Sivola recorded a career-best when second in the Champion Chase at 40-1 and Frero Banbou stayed on from a different parish to snatch third in the Grand Annual.

Confidence behind Royale Pagaille has been boostedCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

The trainer will be hoping Royale Pagaille can fare better than when sixth in the Gold Cup last year when he finished lame. Wednesday's rain will only have boosted his chances.

She also runs outsiders Green Book, who was behind Hillcrest last time, in the Albert Bartlett and Pink Legend in the Mares' Chase.

Dan Skelton

Like Williams, Skelton hasn't been well represented at this year's festival with just five runners.

Too Friendly (fifth), Spiritofthegames (third) and Nurse Susan (fourth) ran respectfully for the trainer, who has a mix of chances on the final day.

The unbeaten hurdler Doctor Parnassus will be bidding to step up to Grade 1 level in the Triumph and Greatwood Hurdle winner West Cork is the best of his trio in the County Hurdle.

Protektorat: can he strike a big blow for Dan Skelton in the Gold Cup?Credit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Lively outsider Ballygrifin Cottage could provide the yard with a timely boost just before Protektorat goes to post for the Gold Cup, in which he is the standout British contender.

Plunge horse Langer Dan will be hoping to go one better than last year – when he was second to Galopin Des Champs – off just a 2lb higher mark in the Martin Pipe.

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