Cheltenham prepared for Gold Cup confrontation

Exhibiting Percy will offer to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup on Friday for his mysterious, attention modest Irish mentor Pat Kelly.

The two-time Cheltenham Festival victor is among 16 contenders in what looks an exceptionally interesting reestablishment of bounce dashing's masterpiece challenge.

A year ago's first and second, Native River and Might Bite, face each other again while 10-time British victor coach Paul Nicholls looks for a record-equalling fifth vocation Gold Cup triumph, with Clan Des Obeaux.

Willie Mullins saddles four hopefuls as he hopes to return the pined for trophy to his Irish yard out of the blue subsequent to being sprinter up multiple times.

Mullins, who went into this year's meeting as the all-time leading Festival trainer, will be represented by Bellshill - the pick of stable jockey Ruby Walsh - Al Boum Photo, Kemboy and Invitation Only.