Bookmaker Paddy Power will back the Paddy Power Gold Cup and two other races at Cheltenham's Open meeting until 2012 after signing a three-year extension to their sponsorship deal.

TIMMY MURPHY will team up with Vodka Bleu in a bid to land back-to-back victories in the Paddy Power Gold Cup after it was confirmed the seven-year-old was trainer David Pipe’s “number-one hope” in the Cheltenham feature.

Heavy rain overnight has eased the ground at Cheltenham ahead of the three-day Open meeting that starts on Friday.

MARTIN PIPE’S bid to win the Paddy Power Gold Cup for the fifth time in the last six years is set to be spearheaded by a rested and rejuvenated Our Vic.