Thornton rides Neptune

Paul Nicholls has revealed that Robert Thornton will get the leg up on Neptune Collonges in the Gold Cup.

Tony McCoy guided the ten-year-old to victory in the Argento Chase at the track in January but with the champion jockey set to partner Kempes for boss JP McManus on Friday, Neptune Collonges needed a new partner.

The news of Thornton's booking comes just a day after it was confirmed he would partner Somersby for Henrietta Knight in the Queen Mother Champion Chase.

Speaking on www.twitter.com, Nicholls confirmed: "Choc Thornton rides Neptune Collonges in the Gold Cup on Friday."