RACING:Nicky Henderson's Jack The Giant will not run in the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham but the trainer still has Barbers Shop and Fleet Street in the line-up.
Henderson has opted to omit his charge because of concerns over the ground being too soft. Barry Geraghty will ride Barber Shop.
Sue Smith's veteran Mister McGoldrick heads a maximum field of 20 for the first major handicap of the National Hunt season.
The 11-year-old landed the Racing Post Plate on his last start at Prestbury Park, springing a 66-1 surprise in the process.
Paul Nicholls, who has never won the race in all its different disguises, has Turko and ante-post favourite Silverburn.
Il Duce, second to L'Antartique 12 months ago, bids to go one better for Alan King, who also saddles the vastly improved Ouzbeck.
Nigel Twiston-Davies has the well-fancied Imperial Commander and Patman du Charmil, David Pipe has the French import Piraya and 2006 runner-up Vodka Bleu while Philip Hobbs saddles Private Be.
Ashley Brook, Don't Push It, Bible Lord and Maljimar are other strong contenders.
Sir Bathwick is the sole reserve runner for the race.
Godolphin's American Grade One winners Cocoa Beach and Music Note are to stay in training in 2009.
They finished second and third respectively behind the unbeaten Zenyatta in the Grade One Breeders' Cup Ladies Classic at Santa Anita last month.
"No specific race plans have been finalised for either filly, but at the moment we are planning to keep them in training next year," racing manager Simon Crisford told www.godolphin.com.
The three-year-old Music Note has won three times at the highest level, all at Belmont Park, while the year older Cocoa Beach's sole success in a Grade One to date also came at the New York track.