SHARDAM’S position at the head of the market for tomorrow’s Betfred Gold Cup at Sandown strengthened yesterday, with Ladbrokes cutting the Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained gelding into 7-2 from 4s for the £150,000 showpiece.

What’s Up Boys heads a 19-runner field for the Betfred Gold Cup at Sandown on Saturday following today’s final declaration stage.

THE Willie Mullins trained Alexander Banquet heads the weights for Saturday’s Betfred Gold Cup after 23 were left in the Sandown showpiece at yesterday’s confirmation stage.

Kingscliff lived up to the hype as he made it seven wins from seven races in the Tripleprint Chase at Cheltenham yesterday and he looks to be a genuine Gold Cup contender.