TOP WEIGHT Poquelin is set to run in the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham on Saturday, owner Andy Stewart has revealed.

Although an outsider for the fiercely-competitive handicap, the five-time Cheltenham winner, fifth in this race 12 months ago, is key to how the race will shape up.

Had the Paul Nicholls-trained eight-year-old been absent, the weights would have risen 6lb, leaving leading fancy Wishfull Thinking with a welter burden, while a number of those who are currently out of the handicap would be able to run off their official mark.

Stewart also has the Nick Giffordtrained Nomecheki engaged, but he will run instead in the paddypower.com On Mobile Handicap Chase on Friday.

Stewart said: “I’ve spoken to Nick and Paul this afternoon and we’ve decided that Nomecheki will run in the two-mile handicap chase on Friday, and Poquelin will take his chance off top weight in the Paddy Power. That’s the plan.”

Tom Scudamore feels The Giant Bolster has benefited from some expert schooling lessons ahead of Cheltenham.

Trainer David Bridgwater has brought in horse jumping guru Yogi Breisner to school the six-year-old, who won twice during his novice campaign over fences but failed to complete on his other three starts.

Scudamore takes the ride on the second-season chaser this weekend, who had a prep run over hurdles in Chepstow’s Silver Trophy last month.

“He’s done a lot of schooling with Yogi Breisner. He’s been in once a week for the last six weeks or two months,” the jockey said.

‘‘I had a sit on him on Monday and he jumped very well. It’s all systems go and Bridgy’s horses are in great form, I’m really looking forward to it.’’ The Nicholls-trained Mon Parrain continues to be all the rage with punters, with Coral and Betfred cutting the ante-post favourite to 4- 1 from 5-1.

Paddy Power Gold Cup: Betfred bet: 4-1 Mon Parrain, 7-1 Wishfull Thinking, 11- 1 Noble Prince, The Giant Bolster, 12-1 Divers, Great Endeavour, 14-1 bar.