Nineteen Still In Betfred

My Will heads the 19 horses that remain engaged in Saturday´s Betfred Gold Cup at the five-day confirmation stage.

Second last time out in the Betfair Bowl, the seven-year-old is one of four Paul Nicholls-trained possibles, with stablemates Royal Auclair, Cornish Sett and Sweet Diversion also still in the race.

Reveillez bounced back to his best when stepped up in trip at Aintree last time and he could take his chance at Sandown, along with the Venetia Williams-trained duo Mon Mome and Fair Question.

Grand National plunge horse Monkerhostin has stood his ground, although he has also been declared to run in Wednesday´s Punchestown Guinness Gold Cup.

Nick Gifford´s Wee Robbie, Henry Daly´s Alderburn and Scottish Grand National hero Hot Weld head the other notable confirmations for the end-of-season showpiece.

Irish hopes will rest with Jack High and the Charlie Swan-trained Oodachee after Point Barrow was among the notable defections.

Other key names no longer in contention include last year´s winner Lacdoudal and the Jonjo O´Neill-trained duo Exotic Dancer and Spirit Of New York.

Swan will make his mind up later in the week as to whether Oodachee crosses the Irish Sea or takes up an alternative engagement at Punchestown.

'I have him in the Betfred and I also have him in a novices´ handicap at Punchestown,' he said.

'I´m just going to have a look when I see the entries and decide which one to go for, but he´s in great form and the trip isn´t really a bother to him.

'Either two miles five or three miles five will be OK and he has to come late, so Sandown might just suit him as they could come back to him.'

Oodachee was last seen running a bold race behind Butler´s Cabin in the Irish Grand National, in which Ferdy Murphy´s Nine De Sivola finished a close second.

Swan admits it was heartening to see the form receive a subsequent boost when the last-named finished second again in the Scottish equivalent on Saturday.

He added: 'He was only seventh last time, but he was only beaten six and a quarter lengths and it was nice to see Ferdy´s horse run well in the Scottish National afterwards.'

(C) PA Sport