New trainer for Banker Count

Banker Count will have a new trainer when he lines up in the Stg£100,000 Tripleprint Gold Cup at Cheltenham tomorrow.

The nine-year-old gelding, who has won two of his three starts this season, has been transferred to Venetia Williams` stable after a deal was completed for a half-share in the horse only hours before tomorrow`s race.

Banker Count had been trained in Yorkshire by Mick Easterby since he made his debut in a bumper at Doncaster back in 1996.

Richard McGrath, who rode Banker Count to score at Wetherby recently, will keep the ride in tomorrow`s contest despite the switch of stables.

Williams revealed today: 'Mick Easterby owned a half-share in the horse with Mrs Hector Brown and he has sold his share to an owner in my yard.

'I`m obviously pleased to have a horse of his class and I hope he runs a good race.

'I`ve known the Browns for years and Hector had Monsieur Le Cure with John Edwards when I was assistant there.'

Banker Count is a best-priced 5-1chance for the Tripleprint.

There were no surprises among the 13 horses to stand their ground at the final declaration stage for tomorrow`s feature contest.

All the horses that have dominated the ante-post markets for the Cheltenham feature stood their ground, including a quartet of runners from the stable of champion trainer Martin Pipe.

But of interest to punters is the news that Pipe`s stable jockey, Tony McCoy, who had his choice of mounts from the quartet, has opted to ride Shooting Light.

Earlier this week there was much speculation that McCoy could defect from his partnership with the Thomas Pink Gold Cup hero to ride his ex-French stablemate.

Ilnamar was backed down to co-favouritism as the rumours grew but the market is sure to be shaken up again with McCoy`s decision to stay loyal to Shooting Light.

Rodi Greene will now ride Ilnamar with Tom Scudamore on Cadougold and Tony Dobbin taking his first ride for Pipe on top-weight Upgrade.

Norman Williamson will ride Foly Pleasant as the Henrietta Knight-trained gelding bids to overturn form from the Thomas Pink Gold Cup where he chased Shooting Light home.

While other leading contenders are First National Gold Cup third and fourth, Dusk Duel and Logician.