Twiston-Davies targeting Cheltenham comeback

Sam Twiston-Davies moved a significant step closer to returning to the saddle on Monday when he rode out for boss Paul Nicholls for the first time since bruising his kidneys and spleen in a fall at Chepstow last month.

Nicholls will have four runners in Saturday's BetVictor Gold Cup at Cheltenham and Twiston-Davies will find out on Wednesday whether he will be cleared to partner one of the stable's contenders in the early-season highlight.

Speaking on Monday, he said: I'm all good. I'm in the gym every day and we'll know more by the end of the week. I schooled two horses this morning [Politologue and Saphir De Rheu] and it all worked smoothly, no pain."

BetVictor Gold Cup card

"It's up to the chief medical advisor Dr Jerry Hill and we'll present a case to him on Wednesday with a view to him looking at it on Thursday. If he likes the case hopefully we'll get clear of the red entry and I'll be riding at the Open meeting this Saturday/Sunday. If not it could be next week."

Cobden keeps Frodon ride

Were Twiston-Davies to get the green light for Saturday, Bouveruil looks his most likely ride in the BetVictor Gold Cup.

Harry Cobden has been confirmed for Frodon, with Sean Bowen on As De Mee and Nick Scholfield on Art Mauresque. A jockey has not been confirmed for Bouvreuil.

Frodon is the 4-1 favourite with the sponsors, and Harry Derham, assistant to Nicholls, is not concerned about a quick reappearance after the four-year-old's win at Wincanton last Saturday.

He said: "Frodon has come out of Saturday's Wincanton race in great form as he cantered this morning and is fine. He is a really tough horse who does not care about much so I would not be worried about the quick turnaround with him, but this Saturday's race does mean he has to step up on what he has achieved so far over fences."

Nicholls is likely to be busy over the weekend as Derham stated that Modus and Tommy Silver would be the champion trainers’ representatives in the Greatwood Hurdle on Sunday while other horses to looks out for were Movewiththetimes in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle Trial and Brahms De Clermont who will go for the Listed bumper.