Gold Cup face-off for top training duo

Every race counts for Nicky Henderson and Paul Nicholls in the many meetings they have had this season, but the one of greatest importance will unfold in the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Possible contenders such as Cue Card and Sir Des Champs have dropped away through injury, and Dynaste has been given an alternative target, so the betting suggests it will be a straight shoot-out between Britain’s two leading stables.

Bobs Worth did not provide Henderson’s first championship since the mid 1980s single-handedly, but his victory in last year’s renewal provided a valuable contribution and unless the Crabbie’s Grand National heads to Seven Barrows – a by no means impossible but so far unachievable task for the trainer – he will depend heavily upon the gelding beating Nicholls’ Silviniaco Conti.