Minella Cocooner gave the newly-crowned champion trainer Willie Mullins yet another big race handicap chase success when staying on strongly in the bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown.

Aucunrisque can get back on the winning trail in the Betgoodwin Sussex Champion Hurdle at Plumpton.

Chris Gordon’s Aucunrisque will run in the McCoy Contractors County Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in preference to the Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Challenge Cup Handicap Chase.

Chris Gordon is “90 per cent sure” his Betfair Hurdle hero Aucunrisque will revert to fences at the Cheltenham Festival for the Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Challenge Cup.

The entry numbers for the handicaps at this year's Cheltenham Festival have significantly declined, with a total of 585 put in the nine races.