Horus heads Pipe's team

RACING: Horus is as short as 3 to 1 to give champion trainer Martin Pipe a third success in the Tripleprint Gold Cup at Cheltenham on Saturday.

The seven-year-old former hunter-chaser and his stable companion Cyfor Malta spearhead a five-horse assault by Pipe on the £100,000 contest.

Cyfor Malta - who is bidding to give Pipe a Thomas Pink-Tripleprint Gold Cup cup double - is on offer at 5 to 1.

Horus impressed when running away with the ladbrokes.com Handicap Chase at Newbury two weeks ago, showing no signs of the suspect jumping that spoiled his chance when favourite for last year's Foxhunter Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

Horus who was handled by the trainer's son David in his hunter-chasing days, is currently 2lb out of the handicap on 9st 12lb.

Cyfor Malta, set to shoulder 11st 12lb on Saturday, ran out an impressive nine-length winner under top weight in the Thomas Pink Gold Cup at Prestbury Park last month.

Seventeen horses were declared at yesterday's confirmation stage for Saturday's race.

Killultagh Storm, trained in Ireland by Willie Mullins is another entry. Mullins, who won last month's Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup with Be My Royal, said yesterday: "Killultagh Storm worked well this morning and is in good form. He will be my only runner at the meeting."

Another Irish challenger, Ross Moff, trained by Tony Martin, has been installed as the 6 to 1 third favourite.

Leading owner J P McManus has three in the race, led by Youlneverwalkalone, trained by Christy Roche, along with stable companion Risk Accessor and the Jonjo O'Neill-trained Master Tern.

BETTING: 3-1 Horus, 5-1 Cyfor Malta, 6-1 Ross Moff, 7-1 Youlneverwalkalone, 10-1 Foly Pleasant, Fondmort, Golden Goal, Thyne Will Tell, 12-1 Seebald, 14-1 bar.