Racing: Geraghty for Mistral ride

The Sandown specialist Kings Mistral was the best backed horse for Saturday's Betfred Gold Cup yesterday as his name was linked with the jockey Barry Geraghty for the end-of-season highlight. The 11-year-old, who has gained five of his six wins at the venue, was promoted to second favourite and is now as low as 5-1 with Ladbrokes.

The Sandown specialist Kings Mistral was the best backed horse for Saturday's Betfred Gold Cup yesterday as his name was linked with the jockey Barry Geraghty for the end-of-season highlight. The 11-year-old, who has gained five of his six wins at the venue, was promoted to second favourite and is now as low as 5-1 with Ladbrokes.

His trainer, Pat Chamings, said: "He worked yesterday and I was very pleased. Hopefully Barry Geraghty will ride."

Lord Atterbury, who headed the ante-post lists at the start of the week, was yesterday ruled out of the £150,000 contest by Martin Pipe.

BETFRED GOLD CUP: Ladbrokes: 4-1 Shardam, 5-1 Kings Mistral, 7-1 Haut Cercy, 8-1 Gunther McBride, Rule Supreme, 10-1 others.