NICKY Richards has warned punters According To John is unlikely to take his chance in Saturday’s Bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown, unless the Esher track sees some rain.

Character Building was given the coolest of rides by Jamie Codd to come out on top in the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup at Cheltenham.

Paul Nicholls took a chunk out of Martin Pipe’s lead in the race for the trainers’ title when Blue Business completed a four-timer in the opener at Cheltenham today.