The Murphy's Gold Cup markets saw some lively betting exchanges yesterday with Mandys Mantino continuing to prove popular with punters.

Coral reacted to the weight of money by cutting Josh Gifford's charge to 6 to 1 from 7 to 1, having shortened his price from 9 to 1 on Monday. Mandys Mantino has also been cut to 6 to 1 from 8 to 1 by William Hill.

But Gifford has admitted to being worried that Mandys Mantino's stamina may let him down in the £75,000 added Cheltenham feature.

The eight-year-old finished third in the two-mile Arkle Trophy at the course in March, and was third again on his reappearance over the same trip at Ascot.

The Findon trainer is concerned that the step up to two and a half miles on Saturday may not suit Mandys Mantino, who weakened in the closing stages when second to Mahler over 21 furlongs at Cheltenham in April.

"The trip might be a problem," Gifford said. "He didn't quite get it last time, though he did have a lot of weight that day and it was at the end of the season.

"But Mandys Mantino is a definite runner and he is very well indeed. I was pleased with how he ran at Ascot and how he handled the ground. Philip Hide will ride him."

Kim Bailey is worried that the weather may scupper the chances of last year's third, Bertone (20 to 1 from 16 to 1 with William Hill), who is best on a sound surface.

"A lot depends on the ground," the trainer said. "If it starts drying up he'll run well, but if we get any more rain it's not going to help him. He's definitely a better horse on fast ground, but there's not much else to run him in so he'll run."

Bertone finished second to Super Tactics at Wincanton last month, and Bailey added: "I was pleased with his performance last time and this is his ideal trip. He's won at Cheltenham before but he's quite high in the handicap at the moment."

Betting: 15-8 Cyfor Malta, 6-1 Mandys Mantino (from 7-1), 7-1 Queen Of Spades, 9-1 Simply Dashing, Senor El Betrutti, Papillon, 12-1 Challenger du Luc, 16-1 Addington Boy, Dr Leunt, Or Royal, 20-1 bar.

At Newbury today, Executive King can rattle up a quick hat-trick in the Lionel Vick Memorial Novices' Handicap Chase. Seven days ago at Kempton, the seven-year-old proved to be a length and a half too good for Eishken in soft ground. That effort followed another cosy success at Market Rasen, where Executive King coasted home 20 lengths clear of his rivals.

Today, Geoff Hubbard's charge faces a different class of opponent and will have to work a little harder to continue his winning sequence, but has always looked the type to progress over fences and may have improvement left in the tank.

He can defy his creep up the handicap under champion jockey Tony McCoy.

Mouse Bird made short work of his rivals on his seasonal debut and can follow up that victory in the Winterbourne Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Chase.

David Gandolfo's charge was usually in the placings last term but only got his head in front once, at Lingfield in January.

The son of Glow made his reappearance at Stratford last month where, despite looking a little backward, he never looked like being beaten, cruising to a five-length defeat of Herhorse.

The handicapper has only raised Mouse Bird 3 lb for that win and the eight-year-old can cause another upward reassessment of his mark by scoring here.

Billingsgate catches the eye in the closing EBF National Hunt Novices' Hurdle Qualifier.

The six-year-old showed plenty of potential when in the care of permit-holder David Chesney, and though evidently not the easiest of horses to keep straight, could go close in an open-looking contest.

Now in the care of David Elsworth, it is not beyond the realms of possibility that a bit of improvement could be conjured out of this big, strapping sort.

At a big price, Billingsgate warrants a tentative vote.

Jockey Adie Smith, who was taken to North Tees Hospital for X-rays on his head and neck following a crashing fall at Sedgefield yesterday afternoon, was later discharged. A hospital spokesman said last night: "We've seen Mr Smith and he has a minor head injury but he has been discharged following examination." Smith's mount Kibby Bank was a poor third when he came down at the last fence in the Paddock Bookmakers Handicap Chase, and Smith was attended by paramedics for several minutes before being stretchered off the course.