Who remains in contention to run in the Paddy Power Gold Cup on Saturday?

The fingerprints of the Pipe family are all over the Paddy Power Gold Cup and there is hope Saturday's showpiece at Cheltenham (2.20) can find its way back to their Devon yard.

Legendary trainer Martin Pipe won the race a record eight times before handing the licence to his son David, who struck in 2011 with Great Endeavour.

The Pipe outfit are relying on Umbrigado to deliver the goods this weekend and on Monday he featured among 21 contenders for the £160,000 handicap.

They also included ante-post market leaders French Dynamite, Ga Law and Stolen Silver, but Fan De Blues – around a 10-1 chance – is out.

David Pipe: trainer has one Paddy Power Gold Cup on his CVCredit: Alex Davidson (Getty Images)

Umbrigado did not win last season, but was on top over hurdles at Newton Abbot recently and David Pipe said: "He has got his confidence back now and he is in good form at home. It always does help when they get their head in front as they know when they win.

"We would like a bit more rain to fall but he is quite versatile about the ground. He won over two and a half miles over fences at Newbury in the Greatwood Gold Cup, so he is not short of pace. I think a strong run race like the Paddy Power Gold Cup might suit him."

Umbrigado runs in the maroon and yellow colours of Anne Underhill and John White, whose father Arthur owned Beau Ranger – the 1987 winner of the race for Pipe's father when it was sponsored by Mackeson.

"This is always a great prize to win and over the years we have pinpointed horses for it," the trainer added.

"At the same time, they have to come along at the right moment. There is no point trying to win if the race isn't right for the horse. Horses have fallen right for us but we have had a great history in the race and that has produced some great memories.

"If the real Umbrigado turns up in this year's race, he could be very competitive."

Sunday's key Cheltenham races

Sunday's feature at Cheltenham is the Unibet Greatwood Handicap Hurdle (2.55) and 19 remain in contention for that.

Dads Lad and Sonigino, prominent in the betting, are among them, but Hacker Des Places, Teed Up, Knappers Hill, who headed the weights with the absent First Street, and Might I will not run.

The seven in the Grade 2 Shloer Chase (2.20) on Sunday include Arkle hero Edwardstone and the classy Nube Negra.

Cheltenham also races on Friday and the going was described on Monday morning as good to soft after 14mm of rain on Sunday.

Showers are forecast for the start of this week, but the latter part is expected to be mainly dry.

Paddy Power Gold Cup confirmations

Mister Fisher Nicky Henderson
Editeur De Gite Gary Moore
Simply The Betts Paul Nicholls
Coole Cody Evan Williams
Happygolucky Kim Bailey
Stolen Silver Sam Thomas
French Dynamite Mouse Morris
Midnight River Dan Skelton
Daly Tiger Laura Morgan
Umbrigado David Pipe
Nassalam Gary Moore
Ga Law Jamie Snowden
Il Ridoto Paul Nicholls
Slate House Joe Tizzard
Demachine Kerry Lee
Captain Tom Cat Richard Newland
Storm Control Kerry Lee
Shakem Up'arry Ben Pauling
Fontaine Collonges Venetia Williams
Galahad Quest Jane Williams
Deyrann De Carjac Alan King

Paddy Power: 4 French Dynamite, 7 Ga Law, Stolen Silver, 10 Il Ridoto, Midnight River, 12 Editeur De Gite, Shakem Up'arry, Nassalam, Coole Cody, 14 bar

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