Owen Burrows plans Newmarket gallop for 2000 Guineas hope Massaat

Massaat is to have a racecourse gallop during the Craven meeting at Newmarket ahead of an outing back at the track in the Qipco 2000 Guineas.

First-season trainer Owen Burrows plans to send the three-year-old to the Rowley Mile as he steps up his preparations for a tilt at the mile colts' Classic.

The son of Teofilo, who is second-favourite for Group One prize on April 30 with some firms, underlined his talent when chasing home Air Force Blue in the Dewhurst Stakes on just his third start and first at the top table, having previously posted an impressive victory in a maiden at Leicester.

Burrows said: "Touch wood Massaat is in good nick and I am very pleased with him. I did contemplate giving him a run beforehand, but timing-wise it didn't work out.

"The plan is to send him to the Rowley Mile for a racecourse gallop at the Craven meeting, then go straight for the 2000 Guineas.

"He can go up overnight and have a trip away from the yard, all being well. We've yet to decide which day it will be that he works."

William Haggas elects to bypass Lincoln at Doncaster with Mitraad

Mitraad is to miss the Betway Lincoln as his trainer William Haggas feels he is not quite ready to do himself justice on his seasonal reappearance.

The five-year-old was a best-priced 9-1 second favourite for the first big handicap of the Flat turf season at Doncaster on Saturday despite having had just three races.

"I don't think he's quite ready to win. I'll just give him a bit more time," said Haggas.

"We'll see how he goes, but he's not far off ."

The Newmarket trainer reports his other Lincoln entry Predominance to be on course for Doncaster.

He is set to run in the consolation race, the Betway Spring Mile, on the same card as he does not look like making the cut for the big one.

"He's going for the consolation race. He seems to be in great form," said Haggas.

Ruby Walsh still undecided on Grand National ride

Ruby Walsh has yet to decide which of Willie Mullins' team he will ride in the Crabbie's Grand National at Aintree on Saturday week.

Mullins still has five in the world's greatest steeplechase - Sir Des Champs, Ballycasey, Turban, Boston Bob and On His Own - but at this stage the Closutton maestro's stable jockey cannot say which he will partner.

However, he played down his chances of winning for a third time after Papillon in 2000 and Hedgehunter in 2005 as he considers all of the champion trainer's five possibles to be "longshots".

"We have five in it. Sir Des Champs is Gigginstown's so I don't know what Bryan (Cooper, their retained rider) is doing," Walsh told At The Races.

"We've Ballycasey, Turban, Boston Bob and On His Own. I'd imagine Patrick (Mullins) will ride On His Own.

"They are five long-shots and any of them, on their best day, could run a big race, but whether their best days are behind them or not now is questionable."

Mob-handed Gordon Elliott takes aim at Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse

Gordon Elliott has assembled a formidable eight-strong team in a bid to win the Boylesports Irish Grand National for the first time at Fairyhouse on Monday.

Less than a fortnight after being reduced to tears after claiming Cheltenham Gold Cup glory with Don Cossack, Elliott aims to secure another major prize.

Heading the squad is Mala Beach, who looked the likely winner of last month's Bobbyjo Chase before coming to grief two fences from the finish.

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Postponed sets middle-distance standard in Sheema Classic

repeat King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes bid looks like being top of the summer agenda for Postponed after he ran out a ready winner of the Dubai Sheema Classic at Meydan for Roger Varian.

It was a smooth passage for Andrea Atzeni on the favourite, who travelled sweetly throughout before taking over from Highland Reel at the head of affairs with a furlong to run.

Continuing the theme of the Japanese raiders on the night Duramente, running on just three shoes after spreading a plate, and Last Impact chased him home, with Highland Reel fading into fourth behind the winner, who broke the track record.

Winner of the King George at Ascot last season, Postponed was moved from Luca Cumani with the rest of owner Sheikh Mohammed Obaid's 35-strong string after the mid-summer showpiece and looks like being a major player in all the top middle-distance races in this form.

Varian said: "It was good to watch. I was happy from the outset. We were worried before the race where the pace was, but they look to have gone an even gallop. He was in a good position and the horse quickened well in the straight.

"I'd like to thank Sheikh Mohammed Obaid and the team at home. This is one of the biggest nights of the calendar on the global stage. The prize-money is nice, but it is winning these big races which excites us all.

"He's a very good horse, he had already won a King George when we got him, but he has thrived out here. The team out here with him did a great job, as did the team at home before that, so big credit goes to my staff.

"I knew that if he picked up in the same way as when winning his prep race here three weeks ago then it would take a good horse to get past him. He is a heck of a good horse as a King George winner. He is versatile and professional and ticks all the right boxes.

"I imagine the King George will again be his mid-summer target with a run or two before. I'll make a plan with the owner when we get home."

The winner was given quotes ranging from Paddy Power's 8-1 for the Prince of Wales's Stakes to 10-1 with RaceBets for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, emphasising the big-race options open to him this season.

Atzeni, who was celebrating his 25th birthday, said: "I was really happy when Ryan (Moore) went off in front and my horse galloped out really well. But it's easy when you are on a horse like him and he ticks all the boxes.

"It's great for Roger Varian and the whole operation at Kremlin (House Stables). I would think there's no doubt he's the best mile-and-a-half horse in Europe."

Connections of Duramente can feel slightly aggrieved the Japanese champion was asked to race on three shoes after spreading a plate in the preliminaries.

His jockey Mirco Demuro said: "He is a wonderful horse and ran a fantastic race in the circumstances. He threw a shoe going to the gate and I could feel it affecting him in the race.

"He was changing his legs all the time, which isn't like him. Hopefully he'll come back as good as ever, because without this he would have finished closer to the winner."

Handicappers - Thistlecrack performance the equal of Big Buck's

This tlecrack's performance in the winning the Ryanair World Hurdle at Cheltenham impressed senior handicappers to such an extent he earned a rating on a par with the mighty Big Buck's.

Colin Tizzard's eight-year-old took his unbeaten run this season to four at the Festival last week, and was not hard pressed to do so in beating Alpha Des Obeaux by seven lengths.

Trips to Aintree and Punchestown are on the agenda, and the British Horseracing Authority's Martin Greenwood admitted "he was as impressive as one could have wished for" in allotting Thistlecrack an official mark of 174 - equal to that of four-time World Hurdle hero Big Buck's.

Greenwood said: "Since the start of the Anglo-Irish Classification in 1999/2000, before my time at the BHB/BHA, the best staying hurdlers have ranged from 163 to 174 and included the likes of Baracouda (172), Inglis Drever (172) and the mighty Big Bucks (174 on five occasions, though ironically he was usually less impressive in the World Hurdle than on other courses). Where do I fit Thistlecrack into this list of hurdling titans?

" The five-year standards are suggesting an average of 173 and a median of 171 for the winner, though that doesn't include any extra added for ease of victory, and a time comparison with the Pertemps Handicap suggests a higher figure of 178.

"Of course the season is far from over with Aintree and Punchestown looming, so any short-term decision can be reviewed after those Festivals and at our annual Anglo-Irish meeting in early May.

"I was so visually impressed with Thistlecrack that I feel he deserves to be above both Baracouda and Inglis Drever, but have not yet propelled him beyond Big Buck's, whom I am happy to share the 174."

Phil Smith gave Gold Cup winner a mark of 177, writing on www.britishhorseracing.com: "This makes him an above-average top staying chaser. Behind Kauto Star, Denman, Imperial Commander, Long Run and Bobs Worth but in front of Looks Like Trouble, See More Business, First Gold, Florida Pearl, Best Mate, Kicking King, Silviniaco Conti and the same owner's War of Attrition (173). He is also 2lb clear of his own mark of 175 set last season."

One of the fairytale successes of the four days was Sprinter Sacre regaining his two-mile crown in the Queen Mother Champion Chase, and assessor Graeme Smith said: "Whether he was tiring, idling or something else, I'm strongly of the view the six-and-a-half-length margin was the best measure of Sprinter Sacre's superiority on the day and rounded that up to 7lb.

"He now tops the division at 175, a 5lb improvement on his pre-race figure. We all know that's shy of his career-defining 188 performances from the spring of 2013 but let's not quibble!"

Milansbar called up by Neil King for National service at Uttoxeter

Neil King's decision to supplement Lil Rockerfeller for the Champion Hurdle did not quite pay off on Tuesday, but he is hoping Milansbar can enjoy better fortune in the Betfred Midlands National at Uttoxeter this afternoon.

Lil Rockerfeller had to settle for seventh in the championship event but whereas his addition to the Cheltenham field was a late call, King has had his eye on this four-mile-one-furlong heat for some time with Milansbar.

The nine-year-old only began his chasing career this season and while one win in four starts may not be the most eyecatching record, he has clashed with the likes of Grade One-placed Aubusson and Cheltenham runner Out Sam.

Milansbar finally got his head in front over fences at Exeter last month and with two hurdles triumphs at Uttoxeter to his name, King believes this is an ideal opportunity despite having to shoulder joint-top weight along with David Pipe's Katkeau.

"He's ready to go and we've been very happy with his preparation," said the Wiltshire handler.

"I've always maintained he's a National horse, this is his first National and we're looking forward to it. He's won twice at Uttoxeter and he's a big, strong horse now, so he's well able to carry that weight.

"We would prefer the ground a bit softer, but it is over four and a quarter miles, so hopefully he'll be fine."

Jim Dreaper won the race for Alan and Ann Potts with Goonyella last year and he is out to repeat the trick with Sizing Coal. The eight-year-old was last seen finishing third in a handicap hurdle at Navan in February on what was his first start since last May.

He also finished third in the three-mile-five-furlong Irish Grand National last April but Dreaper admits he is not totally convinced about his stamina for this marathon trip.

He said: "I don't know if he's as sure to stay the four and a quarter miles as we thought 'Goony' was, but we'll see. We also don't know if he'll be as effective on good ground as he is on winter ground, but he's in good form and he 's a good, honest horse."

Fourovakind won the Devon National last time out and trainer Harry Whittington is hoping for testing conditions at Uttoxeter. The 11-year-old was pulled up in the Welsh National in January but bounced back to win over three miles, six and a half furlongs on soft ground at Exeter.

Whittington said: "I'm thrilled with him. He come out of the Devon National really well. He has been in great form ever since.

"I've not done a huge amount with him. I've just freshened him up and I could not be happier with him. For the past month he has probably been training better than anything else in the yard.

"The plan was to go for the Welsh National but that didn't quite work out for various reasons. He usually takes a couple of runs to get him right and he entered the Devon National in really good form, where he ended up putting in a career-best.

"He ran a good race on good to soft in a veterans' chase last year. If it is a bit tacky that will make it hard work, which will be ideal for us, so I should think it will be fine."

Firebird Flyer also lined up in the Welsh National but he enjoyed much better luck at Chepstow as he chased home Mountainous to finish a two-and-three-quarter-length second.

That was the first time he had tackled a trip in excess of three and a half miles and trainer Evan Williams believes his effort on heavy ground that day offers plenty of hope for him seeing out this increased distance.

He said: "I thought he ran a career-best in the Welsh National and he did look to stay very well in what were virtually unraceable conditions. He's up in trip again, but the drying ground might just balance it out a bit.

"The only worry I would have is the Welsh National was a really brutal race. He's had plenty of time to get over that, but it really was as gruelling as it gets. I've never thought he's really ground-dependent. He's just the kind of horse that has improved for having a bit of age on his back."

Shotgun Paddy disappointed in the race last year when he was pulled up. However, he returns to try to redeem himself, with a couple of nice efforts on his recent record.

Fifth behind Sausalito Sunrise at Cheltenham on his seasonal bow, he then finished third in the Welsh National before chasing home Rocking Blues off top weight in the Eider at Newcastle last time.

Trainer Emma Lavelle reports him in good heart and believes a repeat of any of his efforts this term should put him in the shake-up.

She said: "He's certainly covered some miles this season, but he came out of the Eider very well. I sort of feel, after looking at the declarations for Saturday, that while it's another competitive staying handicap, there doesn't appear to be anything that is completely thrown in.

"If he can run his usual game, consistent race, I just feel he has a better chance in this race than he would in the Grand National.

"If there was blazing sunshine and the ground dried up, we might think about not running, but as things stand the plan is to let him take his chance. He's been so consistent all season and I think he deserves to win a big prize."

Spookydooky was a winner at Newbury back in November before having to settle for second at Haydock and fourth behind Sausalito Sunrise at Ascot.

Trainer Jonjo O'Neill said: "He's in good old form and has a sporting chance, but it looks a typically competitive Midlands National."

Gordon Elliott's faith in Don Cossack justified with Gold Cup triumph

Gordon Elliott has never made any secret of the regard in which he holds Don Cossack and that long-term faith was gloriously justified in the Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup.

After seeing his imposing gelding claim his third bumper from four starts at Fairyhouse, the County Meath maestro proclaimed: " If I was a horse I'd sleep with him, he's that good."

Almost four years on, the quietly-spoken Irishman stood in the hallowed Prestbury Park winner's enclosure in a state of disbelief and with a tear in his eye after seeing Don Cossack claim the most prestigious prize in National Hunt racing.

Already a four-time Grade One winner, the Gigginstown House Stud-owned nine-year-old was a well-supported 9-4 favourite in the hands of Bryan Cooper.

Positioned close to the pace throughout, Don Cossack fenced fluently and travelled beautifully to remain in contention with half a mile to run.

Last year's runner-up Djakadam moved through the three-and-a-quarter-mile feature with similar dash, but he had no answer when Don Cossack kicked in the turbo from the home turn and he devoured the final two fences to seal a four-and-a-half-length success.

A clearly emotional Elliott said: "I'm just so happy for all of us - all the staff in the yard, and my mother and father. I can't believe it. It's unbelievable. To be honest, I need to look at the race again - I was so nervous all the way around. That was something special.

"Everyone at Gigginstown have supported me from the start.

"I've never been so nervous in my life. It means so much to me to win a Gold Cup, it's brilliant."

Elliott sent out Silver Birch to win the Grand National in 2007, and added: "To win the Grand National, I was young and maybe didn't appreciate it - to win the Gold Cup is just unbelievable."

It was a second Gold Cup triumph for Gigginstown, a decade on from War Of Attrition's triumph in the great race.

Ryanair and Gigginstown supremo Michael O'Leary said: "I'm so emotional. Bryan gave him a peach of a ride. We've been second all week and I'm so delighted for Gordon as it's been a tough week for him after losing No More Heroes. It's 10 years since War Of Attrition won the Gold Cup. What a way to celebrate the anniversary.

"This horse has plenty of gears and I'm just delighted. I've found Gold Cups impossible to win, so to do it again is fantastic."

Three years on from hitting the headlines with a Festival hat-trick, Cooper is now firmly established among the sport's elite jockeys, despite being at the tender age of just 23.

"I can't believe that's happened - it was over so quick. I couldn't believe I was going that easy turning for home. He went to go round again at the bend after the last. He galloped the whole way to the line," he said.

"We've put all the doubters away now - they all said he wasn't good enough. All the people who said I didn't get on with him - we've put them in their place today.

"Don Cossack has beaten what's been put in front of him and that's all he can do. He's the best I've ever sat on."

Cooper spent many weeks deliberating whether to ride Don Cossack or Don Poli, who finished third.

He added: "It wasn't an easy decision to make and I think people backed Don Poli more as they thought I'd chosen the wrong one. We proved it though - he (Don Cossack) was the best horse and the highest-rated horse for a reason."

BARTERS HILL SET FOR ALBERT BARTLETT TEST AFTER SCARE

Ben Pauling is looking forward to saddling ante-post favourite Barters Hill in the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham after declaring himself happy with his charge despite a scare earlier in the week.

The six-year-old won all his four bumpers last term and is unbeaten in three races over jumps so far, for which he has been sent off odds-on every time.

After winning his novice at Huntingdon in November, Barters Hill took the Grade One Challow Hurdle at Newbury and landed a Grade Two at Doncaster in January.

Pauling reports his stable star to be all set for his big test, having given connections a fright when pulling out stiff on Wednesday.

"He's fit, healthy and ready to go," said Pauling.

"We're very excited. He's in the form of his life and we'll go from there. It will be a good day and we're very much looking forward to it."

David Bass has ridden Barters Hill in all but one of his starts and has been counting down the days.

"I can't wait to get back on Barters Hill. He is just a very good horse. His profile is unbelievable and I cannot think of many horses who have done what he has at this stage of their career," said Bass.

"To win four bumpers and three novice hurdles, including very good races at Aintree, Newbury and Doncaster, is some achievement and the form is working out everywhere.

"It takes a bit of persuasion to get Barters Hill into top gear, but he has got a good cruising speed and stays really well which is what you need for those championship races over three miles. I think he has an outstanding chance."

Neil Mulholland feels Shantou Village has plenty in his favour as he bids to get back in the winning groove after finishing second to Yanworth on Festival Trials Day at Cheltenham in January.

"He's in good form. The ground has dried out so we're hopeful of a good run," said the Bath trainer.

"He won his point-to-point over three miles when he was a younger horse. He's got stronger since then and we'd be hoping that stepping him up in trip might improve him. He ticks a lot of boxes. Everything's great, he hasn't missed a beat since his last run."

Unowhatimeanharry has come on in leaps and bounds this season, much to the delight, and surprise, of trainer Harry Fry.

"Having qualified for the Pertemps last time at Exeter we thought that would be the route we go but the handicapper was very taken by the race and put him up 14lb to 152," said Fry.

"As he is still a novice we thought we would take our chance. He has seriously improved all season and he has won at Cheltenham twice, including in an Albert Bartlett trial. It was probably not the strongest renewal, but all he could do was win.

"He is in great form at home and hopefully he can continue that upward curve and give the racing club another good day."

Solstice Star takes his chance after being balloted out of the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle on the same card. He was only in action on Saturday when second in the Imperial Cup at Sandown, but trainer Martin Keighley reports Solstice Star to have taken those exertions in his stride.

"If he had got into the Martin Pipe he'd have run off his previous mark and would have been 6lb well-in on official ratings, but he missed the cut. I spoke to the owners. We had the option of the Albert Bartlett and decided to let him take his chance," said Keighley.

"The step up to three miles shouldn't be too much of a worry. He's been doing all his winning on very soft ground so the step up in trip will counteract the ground, hopefully. He'll have a nice long holiday in the summer. He's been bucking and squealing and looks really good."

Willie Mullins is making a powerful bid to win this race for the first time by saddling no fewer than seven of the runners.

His septet is headed by Long Dog, who has won his last six starts that included Grade One races at Fairyhouse and Leopardstown. B achasson, Balko Des Flos, Bleu Et Rouge, Gangster, Open Eagle and Up For Review undoubtedly give the Closutton handler a formidable hand.

The one other Irish-trained challenger is Fagan from the Gordon Elliott stable and he is hopeful of a good run despite the six-year-old having plenty to do on the ratings.

"We went to Musselburgh the last day and he was beaten by O O Seven, but I thought it was a very good run," said Elliott.

"He won't disgrace himself and will have a good chance of finishing in the first four or five. I wouldn't send him if I thought he'd be tailed off and I bet you there'll be more behind him than in front of him. He could sneak into a place, definitely."

ENDA BOLGER PONDERS PUNCHESTOWN PRIZE FOR 'UNLUCKY' JOSIES ORDERS

Josies Orders could go to Punchestown in search of compensation for an unlucky run at Cheltenham.

The Enda Bolger-trained eight-year-old was hampered and lost a lot of ground when Balthazar King came down at the 16th fence in the cross-country chase.

Despite a brave effort by horse and rider Nina Carberry, Josies Orders could not quite get to Any Currency and was a length down at the line.

It was the first time he has been beaten in three races over the cross-country course at Cheltenham this season.

"He was unlucky. He just got tangled up with Balthazar King when he made his mistake and got pushed back further than ideal," said Bolger.

"Anyway, he ran well and came home well. He's only eight so we'll be keen to have another go at the race next year.

"Punchestown would be the next step, as long as the ground is not too firm."

DJAKADAM SPEARHEADS WILLIE MULLINS' TRIPLE GOLD CUP ATTACK

Despite his dominance of National Hunt racing in recent seasons, Willie Mullins has still to win a Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup but has two massive chances today.

The champion trainer came close last year with Djakadam, who is back again, and he also saddles Don Poli and On His Own.

Djakadam's preparation has not been ideal as he fell in the Cotswold Chase at the course in January and needed stitches.

"I must compliment the vet in Cheltenham for the work on Djakadam's stitches," said Mullins.

"We were lucky the cut was on his chest because we were able to keep him walking. He probably missed 10 days before he was starting back to trot, but he would have had a week off anyhow. He is basically a good jumper."

Mullins said of Don Poli, winner of the RSA last March and the Lexus Chase this season: "He's obviously not the fastest horse in the world, but last year he appeared at the front at the fourth-last and Bryan (Cooper) never dreamt he'd have enough speed to do that.

"When you want him to go, he just shoots to the front and I think an extra two and a half furlongs should be exactly what he wants."

Cooper has, however, deserted Don Poli in favour of Don Cossack, a late faller in the King George but the apple of trainer Gordon Elliott's eye.

"He's a good-looking horse that does everything well. He hasn't done too much wrong for the last couple of years, apart from falling in the King George and finishing third in the Ryanair, those are the only two times he's been beat in two seasons," said Elliott.

"You could argue he was unlucky on both occasions and the more the ground dries out for the Gold Cup, the better chance he has. As a bumper horse I always thought he wanted softer ground - I thought he was a mudlark - that's how wrong I was.

"People talk about his record about Cheltenham, but look at Djakadam. He's fallen there twice.

"Don Cossack has been there twice. He fell the first time and the second time, in the Ryanair, it wasn't Bryan's finest moment and Bryan knows that himself.

"He nearly fell at the open ditch, which wasn't Bryan's fault, and then he got stopped. He got knocked back and Bryan made some wrong decisions. We'll ride him positively with a bit of light and see what happens.

"In the King George, I thought at the time we had Cue Card beat, but Ruby (Walsh, on Vautour) was going to win the race. The rest is history. I wouldn't swap him."

Asked what he fears most, Elliott said: "Willie Mullins."

John Kiely's Carlingford Lough has won the last two Irish Gold Cups but was well beaten in this last year.

Kiely's wife Marian reported: "He has been good since his win at Leopardstown last time out. Last year when he ran in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, the (soft) ground went against him. He ideally wants good ground, but not fast ground."

VICTORIA PENDLETON ALL SET FOR FOXHUNTER CHALLENGE AT CHELTENHAM

Once the noise has abated following the Timico Gold Cup today the focus will be on Victoria Pendleton, who fulfils her ultimate objective of riding at the Cheltenham Festival.

This time last year she had not even sat on a horse but with a top team behind her and a new found passion for racing, Pendleton has embraced her 'Switching Saddles' campaign in the manner befitting a dual Olympic cycling champion.

Her progress has been startling as she has progressed from work rider to competing in Flat races last summer followed by point-to-points during the winter.

She only had her first mount in a hunter chase a month ago. That may have ended in disappointment when she was unseated from Pacha Du Polder at Fakenham, but any tears turned to cheers as she guided the Paul Nicholls-trained 11-year-old to victory at Wincanton.

Even after that success there was much soul-searching before Pendleton accepted the challenge to ride in the St James's Place Foxhunter Chase, backed by her advisors, including trainers Lawney and Alan Hill, Nicholls, Sir Anthony McCoy and equestrian expert Yogi Breisner.

"By no means was it an easy decision to make. I wouldn't have made the decision without the support of my team of experts around me that have been with me throughout the whole challenge," Pendleton said.

"I appreciate it was not a decision that should be taken lightly as National Hunt racing is an extremely dangerous sport where there are lots of risks involved, but I feel that I'm capable of being part of that race.

"Lawney and Alan Hill have been putting up with me as a work rider, helping me and coaching me and I've thoroughly enjoyed it

"Yogi Breisner, who gave me those first lessons, wondered if I was going to ever rise and trot, but we progressed quite quickly and I appreciate his continuous support throughout this.

"I'm absolutely thrilled that Paul Nicholls has been supportive and Andy Stewart (owner) has given me a wonderful opportunity to ride an incredible horse.

"I would also like to thank the jockeys that have publicly supported me, the likes of AP McCoy, Aidan Coleman and Tom Scudamore, because there have been tough times and their positivity has helped me through that."

Completing the course in what is the amateur riders' Gold Cup will be seen as success in itself.

Pendleton went on: "If I get round on the horse and complete the course I feel like it will be a gold medal. Olympic medals are like a dream, you don't even believe they are truly possible.

"From the start of this challenge I've not allowed myself to think it's not possible, but by no means did I think it was a sure thing.

"Every stage we've taken step by step and the wonderful thing about working with horses is that I feel I've had to improve my mental and emotional approach, because the horse is very intuitive. It feels what you are feeling.

"The great thing about working with horses is that it has allowed me to push myself to grow even further and better at that control aspect, because you have to be focused and relaxed.

"In terms of the pressure, being part of such a huge race, it's the biggest event I'm going to compete in so far. It's a phenomenal crowd there and I was watching last year thinking 'wow, if I get chance to do this it would be something really special'. I'm excited more than anything."

Nicholls is pleased Pendleton has arrived on the racing scene to give the sport more attention.

"We are all crying out for more publicity in racing and I think Victoria brings in a different audience," said the Ditcheat handler.

"She probably had the biggest cheer I heard at Wincanton since See More Business won there as a 13 year old."

He added of Pacha Du Polder: "He is a super horse, and he is probably better left-handed than he is right-handed. I know we made the running at Wincanton, but that is not ideal in the Foxhunter. It's over three and a quarter miles and he has never won over three miles. We will ride him more patiently, hence why we rode him like that at Fakenham."

Betting exchange Betfair has backed Pendleton's campaign and believe she and racing are already winners.

"It feels like Victoria has won already by getting this far. It's unbelievable to think that just over a year ago she hadn't sat on a horse. It's phenomenal what she's achieved. For her to come into this sport at 35 years of age takes a lot of guts," said spokesman Barry Orr.

"She's built up a great rapport with Pacha Du Polder and all the horses she has ridden. She's just in love with the game. She's been a fantastic ambassador for Betfair, for racing and for sport in general."

Pendleton's biggest rival is likely to be On The Fringe, who won the race last year and beat Pacha Du Polder by three and three-quarter lengths in the Fox Hunters' Chase at Aintree.

"We wish her the best of luck. It's a big field, so we will all need some luck," said trainer Enda Bolger.

"Our horse will appreciate the drying ground which is what we have been waiting for. We're very happy with him and he'll relish the nicer ground."

Another leading player is the Philip Hobbs-trained Mendip Express, who qualified for this race with wins at Warwick and Fontwell in the last couple of months.

"He's a lovely old horse, he's won his two races," said Hobbs.

"When he won at Fontwell last time, the whole race was a bit of a shambles with loose horses everywhere and everything, but at least he won anyway and is in really good nick.

"We think he has a strong chance. He certainly has the ability to have a strong chance."

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Willie Mullins runs through his Cheltenham 2016 squad

NICEONEFRANKIE FIFTH EQUINE FATALITY OF WEEK AT CHELTENHAM

The death of Niceonefrankie at the Cheltenham Festival brought the tally of fatalities to five in the opening three days of the meeting.

Venetia WIlliams' 10-year-old, winner of the December Gold Cup at the track two years ago, fell late on in the Brown Advisory & Merriebelle Stable Plate.

His unfortunate passing added to those of The Govaness, Rezorbi and Pont Alexandre, who suffered fatal injuries on the opening day of the meeting, while it was confirmed on Thursday morning that No More Heroes had been put down after damaging a tendon in the RSA Chase on Wednesday.

Sophia Dale, communications manager for Jockey Club Racecourses South West, said: "Niceonefrankie sustained an injury in the fifth race of the day and was sadly put down due to the nature of the injuries he sustained and our thoughts are with his connections.

"The other horse in the race, Quincy Des Pictons, was walked on to a horse ambulance and taken away for assessment and will be transferred to a veterinary hospital in the not too distant future."

Speaking earlier in the day, RSPCA equine consultant David Muir admitted the deaths are "deeply concerning" but was keen to assess each case individually, rather than make a knee-jerk reaction to the incidents.

He said: "Obviously the deaths are deeply concerning to us, but we need to consider each fatality individually before making an informed comment.

"I look at the fatalities once the meeting is over and the first thing I do is satisfy myself that the course was prepared in the right manner and from there we look at the issues relating to each death.

"I look at any issues of culpability and then see what we can learn for the future and once we have finished, hopefully the British Horseracing Authority take our comments on board.

"I've been concerned by the way hurdles react in races and have recently been looking at the issue of penultimate and ultimate hurdles where the fields really start to race and the possibility of an increased risk."

Muir admits the sheer volume of runners at the Festival must be taken into consideration as the number of contenders far outstrips regular day-to-day action.

He said: "You have to consider the number of horses racing on any day at the Festival.

"You can't really compare Haydock or Hexham, with five or six runners, to Cheltenham, where there are 20 or 22 runners in many of the races. The competitiveness of the races might be an issue, but what are you supposed to do, ask the jockeys to race slowly? That would be beyond my remit."

Jenny Hall, chief veterinary officer for the British Horseracing Authority, said racing's rulers were "committed to working with racecourses to reduce the level of this risk".

She said: "Further to our statement on Tuesday, we would like to express our sincere sadness at the news of the loss today of Niceonefrankie, and to express our sympathies with the stable staff who cared for the horse, its owner and trainer and all connections.

"We make every effort to ensure the highest standard of welfare for all horses in our sport, and set the highest standards for all licensed participants, including trainers and jockeys and racecourses. British racing employs more than 6,000 people to provide first class care and attention for all 14,000 horses in training, who enjoy an exceptionally high quality of life.

"As with all equine activity, racing carries a level of risk, for both horse and jockey. We are committed to working with racecourses to reduce the level of this risk and over the last 20 years, the equine fatality rate has fallen a third to 0.18 per cent for all types of races, and to 0.39 per cent for jump racing. The risk of serious injury or death remains low, given the fact that there are around 90,000 runners each year.

"We remain committed to ensuring that our sport continues to maintain world-class standards of equine care, and working to continually improve them in order to reduce the inherent risks involved so that racehorses can do what they are bred to do and the sport can continue to be enjoyed by more than six million racegoers each year.

"As is the case with all equine injuries, we'll work with Cheltenham to assess the incidents that took place this week and see what we can learn from them."

'LAST-MINUTE' VAUTOUR COMES GOOD WHEN IT MATTERS IN RYANAIR DEMOLITION

Willie Mullins insisted he had no regrets after his controversial decision to switch targets with Vautour paid off with another stunning display in the Ryanair Chase.

An all-the-way winner of the 2014 Supreme Novices' Hurdle and breathtaking in the JLT Novices' Chase 12 months ago, the seven-year-old was set to be part of a formidable assault by the all-conquering champion trainer in his bid to win a first Timico Gold Cup.

However, on Tuesday morning came the shock announcement that following a string unsatisfactory workouts, Vautour was to run 24 hours earlier and despite downbeat reports, he was immediately installed as the hot favourite.

Those brave enough to take even-money had few worries throughout the the two-mile-five-furlong Grade One, with Vautour travelling with his trademark panache and jumping accurately in the hands of an ultra-confident Ruby Walsh.

The writing was on the wall for his rivals as the Mullins superstar cruised to the front running down the hill and he powered clear up the straight to gain his third Festival success by six lengths. Valseur Lido made late gains to give Mullins a one-two, narrowly ahead of last year's Gold Cup third and fellow Gigginstown House Stud-owned runner Road To Riches.

Mullins said: "I'm happy we ran him in this race as he's won. Last year I came here on a wing and a prayer and it was the same this year. Last year he was hard to train before coming right on the day, but that was against novices.

"This year we were aiming for the Gold Cup and he wasn't working like a Gold Cup horse. The more work we put into him, the worse he appeared to be getting.

"I just changed everything in the last week and hoped that things would work and still there was nothing really until two days before he came over. I arranged a short bit of work for him and it was the first time he took up the bridle in the last month.

"After he arrived here, he just seemed to be getting better by the minute. The lad who rides him said he started to take a hold and spark, which he hasn't done since Christmas."

Mullins feels Vautour's narrow defeat to Cue Card in a pulsating King George VI Chase at Kempton may have left a mark and revealed that just last week he felt he may not make the trip to Prestbury Park at all.

"He had a very hard race in the King George and probably had a harder race than what I thought. He wasn't getting over it and I'd say it just bottomed him," he said.

"Last Wednesday, I had it in my mind I couldn't bring him for the Gold Cup and I couldn't bring him for this. I changed the way we train him, the way we ride him, the tack he wears and I threw him out in the field. The only stable he's been in in the last 10 days is the two nights he's been here.

"I brought him here very late and it was all last-minute. We just had to try something different as what we were doing wasn't working. Ruby said he wouldn't have brought him and I'm sure a lot of lads in the yard were thinking the same way.

"You can't win if you don't run and I just took a chance, but I'd say it's a surprise to everyone in our yard he's won the way he's won today. He must have a huge engine to do that off the prep that he came here with."

William Hill make Vautour a 6-1 shot for next year's Gold Cup, while he is 7-2 to repeat his Ryanair success.

Mullins is keen to go for the blue riband, while plans for the remainder of this campaign could depend on whether he has a chance of claiming the British trainer's title for the first time.

He added: " We'll see what Gold Cup horses we have next year, but I think he's a Gold Cup horse. I've got to aim him for the Gold Cup, but the same owner has Djakadam and we'll see what happens here tomorrow.

" I'd prefer Punchestown to Aintree, but it's hard. I don't know what I'm going to do about Aintree this year.

"I'd like to win the Aintree Hurdle, there's the Grand National horses and other than that I usually only bring one if I have one for those Grade One novice races. But it depends how this week finishes."

Owner Rich Ricci admitted to wondering what might have happened had Vautour lined up on Friday.

He said: " Djakadam must be working the house down is my immediate reaction, so hopefully it bodes well for tomorrow.

"I feel odd, to be completely honest. I wanted the horse to run in the Gold Cup, the Gold Cup third from last year (Road To Riches) was behind us.

"Of course I'm delighted to win and it was a good performance. You've got to do the right thing for the horse and running in this race was the right thing for him. He wasn't as spectacular as last year, but it was a good win."

Asked whether he felt bad for ante-post punters, the owner said: "Of course, I do. I hear my new nickname is 'Switch Ricci'. You never want to disappoint punters, but you can't have it all ways.

"I try to be as honest and open as I can and say what I think. I don't want to change my style. Sometimes you get it wrong and I hope people will forgive me."

Mullins said of Valseur Lido: "He needs a trip, but he ran a fantastic race. The further he goes the better he'll be."

Road To Riches' trainer Noel Meade was proud of the performance of his stable star in third.

He said: "T he winner is an exceptional horse and if he'd not been there, Michael O'Leary (owner) would have been right going for this race. The change in plan for Vautour was a bit of a blow for us, but I think he's run a good race.

"I'm not sure why he didn't quite get home and he just didn't seem to get the last 100 yards, but I thought he was in very good form coming into the race.

"I don't know where we'll go next, he'll be entered at Aintree and Punchestown but he certainly didn't have as hard a race as he did in the Gold Cup."