Seventeen still in hunt for Paddy Power Gold Cup

Their trainer Paul Nicholls is hopeful of suitably “safe” ground on Saturday but is concerned about the current unseasonal dry ground.

However, he believes watering on the old course at Prestbury Park will help ease safe passage.

Nicholls told Betfair: “It’s a concern for everybody. As long as the ground is safe. I think (clerk of the course) Jon (Pullin) is going to put a bit of water on and he’s got the opportunity to do so and that course isn’t going to be used again until the spring, which obviously helps.

“As long as the ground is slow enough to be safe, then we’ll be going on Saturday. He’s (Ginny’s Destiny) in great shape and we’re going to run Il Ridoto as well, which Freddie Gingell will ride, so two nice chances.”

Ginny’s Destiny claimed a hat-trick at Cheltenham last season and finished second in the Turners Novices’ Chase, while Il Ridoto had wind surgery over the summer but was a well-beaten fifth on his seasonal debut at Chepstow last month.

Nicholls’ nephew Harry Derham has Imagine in the field after switching from Gordon Elliott.

Dan Skelton’s Ryanair Chase winner Protektorat is set to carry top weight, while 2022 winner Ga Law is still among the contenders, with Kotmask and Editeur Du Gite and Henry De Bromhead’s Lets Go Champ.

Willie Mullins has Janidil, Hartur D’arc is running for Gavin Cromwell, while In Excelsis Deo will hope to put a disappointing effort in the Galway Plate behind him for Harry Fry.

Fugitif, Weveallbeencaught, Jetoile, Straw Fan Jack, Gemirande and Madara are all still in the mix.