Skeltons to grab Paddy Power Gold Cup glory with Protektorat

Protektorat is expected to stamp his class on the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham.

Carrying 11st 12lb in one of the most competitive handicap chases of the season is clearly no easy task for the sixyear-old, but his welter burden is really the only negative.

Hailing from the bang-inform yard of Dan Skelton, Protektorat is already a dual winner at Prestbury Park - coming home with 17 lengths in hand over the course and distance at this meeting last year. The classy gelding was beaten at odds-on on his next couple of starts, but got his act together in some style at Aintree when securing Grade One honours at the Grand National meeting.

The application of a tonguetie appeared to have a positive effect on Merseyside, with Protektorat readily beating two high-class performers in The Shunter and Hitman.

The Shunter has since finished fourth in the Galway Plate, while Hitman was narrowly beaten in the Haldon Gold Cup, proving that quality novice form in top-level handicaps.

Protektorat, who will have Harry Skelton on board, has undergone a second wind operation during the summer and is sure to be cherry-ripe for his return to action.

It could be a big afternoon for the Skelton team, with Third Time Lucki difficult to oppose inthefromthehorse'smouth Podcast Novices' Chase.

A little shy of top-class over hurdles, the six-year-old served notice he could bridge that gap over the larger obstacles with a spectacular display on his chasing debut at Cheltenham three weeks ago. His jumping was too slick for his rivals to handle on that occasion and there is every chance it will be the same story today.

Paul Nicholls is fancied to claim the opening JCB Triumph Trial with Magistrato.

The French import made an excellent start for his new connections at Chepstow and can enhance his reputation with victory in the Cotswolds.

Nigel Twiston-davies loves a winner at his local track and can strike gold with Ballymillsy in the Paddy Power Games Handicap Hurdle.

The five-year-old fairly bolted up on his seasonal debut at Newton Abbot last month and an 8lb rise in the weights might not be enough to prevent him from going in again.