Shardam shortens for Betfred

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.

Shardam, who unseated Tom Scudamore at the third fence in the Martell Cognac Grand National, has been reported to be in good form since his Aintree mishap.

Gunther McBride, who was as short as 7-1 in some books, was the only surprise withdrawal from the race at yesterday's final declaration stage.

Philip Hobbs will now rely on What's Up Boys, who heads the 19-runner field for the extended three-mile-five-furlong contest on 11st 12lb, after the defection of the Willie Mullins-trained Alexander Banquet.

The weights for the race have gone up by another 4lb, leaving Martin Pipe's Stormez second in the list on 11st 11lb, while Mullins' other contender, Rule Supreme, will carry 11st 10lb.

Stormez is one of seven runners for Pipe, who also has Puntal, Iznogoud, the 2002 winner Bounce Back, Royal Predica, Carryonharry and Imperial De Thaix in the race. But as expected, he has withdrawn Lord Atterbury.

The other withdrawal yesterday was the Ted Walsh-trained Never Compromise.

Paul Nicholls will be well represented in the race, with both Royal Auclair and Fasgo taking their chance, while Henry Daly runs Haut Cercy.

Pat Hughes has booked Jim Culloty for Montayral and the trainer believes his seven-year-old, who finished sixth in the Irish Grand National on Easter Monday, has a good chance of reaching the frame.

"He's got 10st 12lb, the same weight as he had in the Irish National, and he should be OK he's on the right side of 11st," Hughes said.

"He just tired a bit at Fairyhouse. Maybe he moved up a bit too soon I think he might have been better attacking later.

"He likes racing prominently, but he probably needs a lead for longer than he got at Fairyhouse."

"He'll like the ground and I think he'll have an each-way chance."

Ladbrokes: 7-2 Shardam, 5-1 Kings Mistral, 7-1 Haut Cercy, 8-1 Rule Supreme, 10-1 Fasgo, Iznogoud, 12-1 Montayral, 14-1 Stormez, Bounce Back, 16-1 What's Up Boys, Puntal, Royal Auclair, Scotmail Boy, 33-1 Royal Predica, 40-1 Imperial De Thaix, Lord 'N' Master, 50-1 Carryonharry, Multi Talented, 66 Early Edition.