Exotic was cut to 16-1 (from 33) at Stan James for the Cheltenham Gold Cup after his victory in the Grade 1 Lexus Chase at Leopardstown on Sunday. The well-beaten runner-up was War Of Attrition who has been pushed out to 25-1 (from 20). The favourite, Neptune Collonges fell two out and has been eased to 6-1 (from 5).

Trafford Lad remains unchanged at 10-1 at the head of the betting for the RSA Chase at the Cheltenham festival in March despite only finishing second in the Knight Frank Novice Chase behind Casey Jones who received a first show of 16-1.

The winner of the opening Novices’ Hurdle at Leicester was Bensalem and the Alan King-trained five-year-old has been introduced into the betting for the Albert Bartlett Hurdle at 20-1 after completing a hat-trick.

Gold Cup, Cheltenham. 13th March 2009. EW: ¼ 1,2,3 Denman 13/8, Kauto Star 11/4, Neptunes Collonges 6 (from 5), Tidal Bay 16, Albertas Run 20, Air Force One 20, Imperial Commander 20, 25/1 bar.

RSA Chase, Cheltenham. 11th March 2009. EW: ¼ 1,2,3 Trafford Lad 10 (-), Breedsbreeze 10, Aran Concerto 12, What A Friend 12, Cooldine 14, The Market Man 14, Lodge Lane 14, Ballyfitz 14, 16/1 bar.

Albert Bartlett Hurdle, Cheltenham. 13th March 2009. EW: ¼ 1,2,3 Diamond Harry 9/2, Pride Of Dulcote 6, Alpha Ridge 12, Apt Approach 14, Door Boy 14, On Raglan Road 14, Inchidaly Rock 14, Massasoit 14, 16/1 bar.