Guitar Pete in "great fettle" for Caspian Caviar Gold Cup at Cheltenham

Clan Des Obeaux heads the weights for the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup after 17 horses remained in Saturday's Cheltenham feature following the confirmation stage.

The Paul Nicholls-trained five-year-old steps into handicap company after staying on well to land a graduation chase at Haydock last month.

Nicholls has also left in Le Prezien and Romain De Senam as he looks to win this valuable contest for a fifth time since 2009. They were third and fifth respectively in last month's BetVictor Gold Cup behind Splash Of Ginge.

The latter could try to follow up that victory. His trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies also has Foxtail Hill, who was eighth that day, while David Pipe's Starchitect, who was only a beaten neck in second place, could reoppose. Vaniteux is a second possible for the Pipe team.

Cumbrian handler Nicky Richards is hoping Guitar Pete has a clear run through the race after his performance in the BetVictor Gold Cup.

The seven-year-old was detached in rear after being badly hampered at the first fence and did well to finish as a close he as did, 25 lengths behind the winner in ninth.

Guitar Pete was a live outsider for the BetVictor Gold Cup, having defeated Sametegal and Splash Of Ginge in a two and a half mile Listed handicap chase at Wetherby on November 3.

Richards said on Monday: "Guitar Pete is in great fettle and will run in the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup.

"The BetVictor Gold Cup was just a non-event for him really. He got badly hampered at the first and basically that was the end of the story.

"I am quite sure he can be competitive on Saturday. He is tough little horse and should run a good race, provided he gets that bit of luck you need in these big handicaps."

Nicky Henderson is two-handed with O O Seven and Kilcrea Vale - as is Evan Williams, who has King's Odyssey and On Tour.

Among others in the mix are Dan Skelton's Summer Plate winner Long House Hall, Harry Fry's Kylemore Lough and Ballyalton from Ian Williams' stable.