Garden tops Power field

Monet’s Garden has been handed top weight of 11st 12lb for the £150,000 (€186,308) Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham on Saturday week.

Nicky Richards’ charge has not travelled to Prestbury Park since disappointing when favourite in the 2007 Ryanair Chase and failed to shine on his seasonal bow in Aintree’s Old Roan Chase.

Paul Nicholls looks set to have a strong hand as he bids for a first Paddy Power victory with 2006 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle scorer Noland (11st 9lb) and Galway Plate winner Oslot (11st 6lb) near the top of the handicap.

The champion trainer could also run Ryanair Chase third Turko (11st 4lb), Nozic (11st 3lb) and Predateur (9st 13lb), while his ante-post favourite Silverburn is set to carry 10st 7lb.

Nick Williams is hoping that Maljimar (10st 3lb) can notch his second win at Prestbury Park having plundered a Grade Three prize at the track back in January.

“The Paddy Power Gold Cup has been the target for Maljimar since March. I would have preferred a few more pounds for him and I hope that the weights will go up,” said Williams.

“Five pounds more or so would be ideal so that we could be sure of getting a decent jockey who could do the weight. I see him as a nice each way bet.”

Other interesting contenders include Jack The Giant (11st 1lb), Imperial Commander (10st 3lb), and William Hill Gold Cup winner Ashley Brook (11st 5lb including a 5lb penalty).

Paddy Power Gold Cup, sponsors bet: 4-1 Silverburn, 13-2 Barbers Shop, 9-1 Jack The Giant, Imperial Commander, Maljimar, Ouzbeck, 12-1 Don’t Push It, Finger Onthe Pulse, Piraya, 14-1 Ashley Brook, Mahogany Blaze, Abragante, Bible Lord, 16-1 Oslot, Sky’s the Limit, Scotsirish, Vodka Bleu, I’m So Lucky, Turko, 20-1 bar.