Gold Cup target for Gift

IRIS’S GIFT’S objective at the Cheltenham Festival will be the Gold Cup, according to owner Robert Lester.

The 2004 Stayers’ Hurdle hero won his first three novice chases this season before suffering a shock reverse when beaten by subsequent Feltham Chase winner Darkness at Newbury in November.

The Jonjo O’Neill-trained gelding is now only 16-1 with sponsors totesport following the news last year’s winner Kicking King is injured and will not be defending his crown in March.