KELLY’S HERO LEADS HUNT FOR GOLD

ANTE-POST favourite Presenting Percy and last year’s runner-up Native River are among 36 horses to stand their ground following the scratchings’ deadline for the Cheltenham Gold

Cup next month.

Presenting Percy, who will warm up for the Festival in the Red Mills Chase at Gowran Park on Saturday, is 5-2 with Paddy Power to strike gold for trainer Patrick Kelly (above).

Paul Nicholls has left in King George hero Clan Des Obeaux, Frodon and Black Corton. Willie Mullins, yet to win a Gold Cup, has six including Kemboy, Bellshill and Al Boum Photo.

Gold Cup (Paddy Power): 5-2 Presenting Percy, 5 Native River, 6 Kemboy, 7 bar

JOSEPHINE GORDON will ride as a freelance after relinquishing her role as stable jockey to Hugo Palmer.

The former champion apprentice rode 56 winners on the Flat in 2018, a year after her role with Palmer helped her become only the second female jockey to ride 100 winners in a calendar year.