Cheltenham foes back on Gold trail

Caid Du Berlais and Johns Spirit, who fought out a thrilling finish to the Paddy Power Gold Cup earlier this month, could return to Cheltenham for the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup, for which 32 horses have been entered, on December 13.

The Paul Nicholls-trained Caid Du Berlais got the verdict by a head from Jonjo O'Neill's Johns Spirit in the Paddy Power Gold Cup and they could be joined by the fourth home, Oscar Whisky, in the two-mile-five-furlong handicap chase with new sponsors.

Nicholls could also be represented by Wonderful Charm, Rolling Aces and Sound Investment, while Oscar Whisky's trainer Nicky Henderson also has Paddy Power 10th Ericht.

Emma Lavelle has entered Edgardo Sol, runner-up in the Old Roan Chase at Aintree in October before coming home eighth in the Paddy Power.

"Edgardo Sol could return to Cheltenham for the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup, although it's very much ground related," said the Andover trainer.

"If we have a dry period and the ground came up just that little bit better than last time, then we would definitely look at running him.

"I was delighted by his run in the Paddy Power Gold Cup but he just got bogged down in the soft ground.

"He jumped fantastically and travelled really well - if anything, he travelled a little bit too well and he could have done with the field going that little bit quicker.

"He was still bang there two fences out and then got a little bit tired coming up the hill. I was very pleased with him and he has certainly come out of the race well."

Lavelle has also put in Court In Motion, who has been absent since winning a Grade Two novice chase at Lingfield in December, 2012.

"Court In Motion has been the most frustrating horse because he has got so much talent. He has had niggling problems over the past couple of seasons with his legs but, touch wood, we are still going forward at the moment," she said.

"He is a bit vice versa to Edgardo Sol because, if the ground came up very soft, then we would definitely have a look at running him at Cheltenham.

"He is one of those horses who, on very soft ground, two miles and five furlongs would be his ideal trip and he wouldn't quite get home over three miles.

"I think he is probably quite well handicapped off 140 nowadays on what he has achieved and the horses that have finished behind him but it's a case of getting the work into him and getting him fit.

"He is a serious racehorse if we can ever have him right."

Ireland's champion trainer Willie Mullins has entered Djakadam, ante-post favourite for Saturday's Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury, plus The Paparrazi Kid and Turban.

David Pipe has Cheltenham Festival winner Ballynagour, Easter Meteor and Monetaire, while Nigel Twiston-Davies, who took the corresponding race last year with Double Ross, has engaged novice chasers Arthur's Secret and Splash Of Ginge.