Il Ridoto set to bid for back-to-back victories

LAST year's winner Il Ridoto is among 16 horses confirmed for the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham on Saturday.

- ASHLEY IVESON

The eight-year-old provided trainer Paul Nicholls with back-toback victories in the prestigious handicap, having struck gold with Stage Star the previous season, and he is the 4-1 favourite with the sponsors to become the first horse to successfully defend his crown since Bradbury Star in the 1990s after finishing second on his seasonal reappearance at Chepstow.

Jagwar is a major contender for the training partnership of Ollie Greenall and Josh Guerriero. He carried the colours of JP McManus to two wins at Cheltenham last season, including success in the Festival Plate, and has had this as a target for some time.

Title-chasing Dan Skelton has three potential runners in Panic Attack, Riskintheground and Hoe Joly Smoke, while Vincenzo is a major contender for Sam Thomas.