Horseracing: Fitzgerald ready for Gold Cup prospect

Mick Fitzgerald will be available to ride Marlborough should connections decide to run the gelding at Wincanton.

The rider has been suffering from an elbow problem he picked up at Ascot and had to miss his remaining mounts at Fontwell on Monday after winning aboard Gastina.

The Irishman said: "It's just a niggling little thing. I'm going to take a couple of days off and I'll be back for Thursday".

Fitzgerald's presence is considered essential for the Nicky Henderson-trained Marlborough, who has Thursday's Jim Ford Challenge Cup and Saturday's Racing Post Chase at Kempton as options before the Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup.

"If Marlborough goes to Wincanton I'll ride him," the jockey added. "I'm looking forward to it." Marlborough is 7-1 third favourite with Ladbrokes for the Gold Cup.