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.

Bookmakers cannot agree about the chances of Xenophon in the Powers Gold Label Irish Grand National, with Paddy Power installing him 5-1 favourite and Cashmans going 14-1.