VENETIA WILLIAMS is going for Gold with stable star Royale Pagaille.
The trainer has confirmed her seven-year-old will take in Friday’s Wellchild Gold Cup and not the National Hunt Chase.
The bookies make her horse, owned by Susannah and Rich Ricci, an 8-1 chance for the Festival showpiece.
She said: “We had a meeting and decided the Gold Cup was the final choice.
“He’s going in the deep-end, and I’ve always said it’s a huge step up. On top of that we’d love some more rain beforehand.”
Royale Pagaille shot into the Gold Cup picture following his dominant Peter Marsh win at Haydock.
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Set to be partnered by stable jockey Charlie Deutsch, Royale Pagaille will be looking to emulate novice Coneygree who won the race in 2015.
And only two-time champ Al Boum Photo, Champ and A Plus Tard are shorter in the betting.
Day 1 Takes Shape
The final fields for Tuesday at Cheltenham are in with runners now declared for the Champion Hurdle and Supreme Novices Hurdle.
Eight have been declared for the opening Supreme, with the Willie Mullins-trained Appreciate It the red-hot favourite.
In the Unibet Champion Hurdle, the big name trio of Honeysuckle, Epatante and Goshen are all set to line up.
Six were declared for the Sporting Life Arkle, with Shishkin now as short as 1-2 to win the Grade 1 for Nicky Henderson.
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