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Paul Nicholls believes Simply The Betts is ready to "run for his life" in Saturday's Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham.

The nine-year-old is no stranger to Prestbury Park having already recorded two wins there.

Formerly a classy operator for owners Kate and Andrew Brooks, the gelding will run in the colours of jockey David Maxwell in the feature race at Cheltenham.

Simply The Betts was second to Stolen Silver at the course in April, but he has won there previously in January and March 2020 in the Plate. Both distances were over the extended two miles and four furlongs and both on soft going.

The going was good at Cheltenham on Friday, but Nicholls, who sends five to Cheltenham on Saturday, is hopeful of a big run.

P F Nicholls told Betfair: "He loves Cheltenham and is a lively outsider ridden for the first time by his new owner Mr David Maxwell.

"While Simply the Betts doesn't get much help from the handicapper I'd say he is the best we've had him. He looks fantastic in his coat, goes well fresh and like a lot of our recent winners he has done loads of work. He is ready to run for his life."

Amateur rider Maxwell is looking forward to the first time ride aboard his new acquisition.

He has finished sixth in the last two renewals of the Paddy Power Gold Cup and is out to make it third time lucky.

Maxwell said: "Paul really wants to run him – he says he's absolutely bang in form, tells me he has never had him better and he likes good ground.

"If I could provide a rough translation of that, it would be 'this horse is in really good form, I really want to run but I wish you weren't going to ride him'!

"I really want him for the Foxhunter next year, but he loves Cheltenham and Paul says he's in great form so he might as well have a go.

"I've never ridden in anything even approaching as big a race as the Paddy Power Gold Cup, so it's very exciting."