Oslot leads Gold quest

Oslot has been left at the head of the weights for Saturday’s Boylesports.com Gold Cup on Saturday – for which red-hot favourite Imperial Commander is also one of 19 left in.

Paul Nicholls’ Galway Plate winner has been left with top weight following the defections of the likes of Exotic Dancer, the injured Jack The Giant and stablemates Big Buck’s and Noland.

However, the race would appear to revolve around Paddy Power Gold Cup winner Imperial Commander, trained by Nigel Twiston-Davies.

The seven-year-old will attempt to pull off a double last achieved by Exotic Dancer himself in 2006. Senor El Betrutti and Pegwell Bay are the others to have pulled off the feat in the same season.

Nicholls also has Nozic and Silverburn left in the race.

The Irish challenge is made up of Tom Taaffe’s Jewson Handicap winner Finger Onthe Pulse, Willie Mullins’ Scotsirish and Arthur Moore’s Notable d’Estruval.

Nicky Henderson has left in My Petra but has repeatedly stated she would only run if the ground dried up significantly.

Il Duce, Three Mirrors, Stan, Yes Sir and Private Be are also still engaged in the valuable handicap chase.

Others notable absentees include Henry Daly’s Possol, Edward O’Grady’s Sky’s The Limit and Philip Hobbs’ Lord Henry.