Paul Nicholls is hopeful of suitably “safe” ground on Saturday at Cheltenham, where both early favourite Ginny’s Destiny and Il Ridoto have held their ground among 17 remaining contenders for the Paddy Power Gold Cup.

Ginny’s Destiny’s secured a Cheltenham hat-trick last season before chasing home Grey Dawning in the Turners Novices’ Chase at the Festival and then finishing ahead of that rival but second to Il Etait Temps when last seen in April at Aintree.

Il Ridoto was given wind surgery over the summer and trailed home a well-beaten fifth on his seasonal debut at Chepstow last month, but has been third and fourth in this race before.

The current unseasonal dry ground is a worry for the 14-time champion trainer, who prevailed with Stage Star 12 months ago, but he remains hopeful that watering on the old course at Prestbury Park will do the trick.

Nicholls told Betfair: “It’s a concern for everybody. As long as the ground is safe. I think (clerk of the course) Jon (Pullin) is going to put a bit of water on and he’s got the opportunity to do so and that course isn’t going to be used again until the spring, which obviously helps.

“As long as the ground is slow enough to be safe, then we’ll be going on Saturday. He’s (Ginny’s Destiny) in great shape and we’re going to run Il Ridoto as well, which Freddie Gingell will ride, so two nice chances.”

Imagine is in line to make his debut for Nicholls’ nephew Harry Derham.

Racecourse appearance pending

The son of Montmartre was previously trained by Gordon Elliott and changed hands for €320,000 in February but has yet to see the racecourse for the Upper Farm Stables handler.

Jamie Snowden will again send out 2022 winner Ga Law, while Gary and Josh Moore are doubled-handed with Kotmask and Editeur Du Gite.

Henry De Bromhead’s Lets Go Champ leads the challenge from Ireland, with Willie Mullins relying on Janidil and Hartur D’arc running for Gavin Cromwell.

Dan Skelton’s Ryanair Chase winner Protektorat is set to carry top weight, while In Excelsis Deo will hope to put a disappointing effort in the Galway Plate behind him for Harry Fry.

Fugitif was fourth last year before landing the December Gold Cup, while Weveallbeencaught, Jetoile, Straw Fan Jack, Gemirande and Madara still feature as well.

Paddy Power spokesman Paul Binfield said: “Paul Nicholls made no secret of the fact that he thought Ginny’s Destiny was the perfect candidate for the race three weeks ago and an incredible 125/1 five-timer on Saturday has not exactly put punters off the Turners runner-up.

“He was an 8/1 chance for this prestigious contest when we first priced it and is now 3/1.”