Thursday's racing round-up brings the news of a big-race target for Cheltenham regular Fugitif…

Richard Hobson reported Fugitif to be in great form ahead of his intended reappearance in the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham next month. The nine-year-old, who finished fourth behind Stage Star in last season's renewal, also landed the valuable December Gold Cup at Prestbury Park a month later. Fugitif is a 14/1 chance to claim the Paddy Power Gold Cup, with the Paul Nicholls-trained Ginny's Destiny currently topping the market at 7/2.

Last year's Cheltenham Gold Cup runner-up Gerri Colombe will face four rivals when he makes his eagerly-awaited reappearance in the Grade 1 Ladbrokes Champion Chase at Down Royal on Saturday. Sam Ewing will be on board the Gordon Elliott-trained multiple Grade 1 winner for the first time and the pair are as short as 8/13 to make a winning return, with Henry De Bromhead's 2023 Ryanair Chase scorer Envoi Allen next in the betting at 7/2.

Donald McCain has revealed Minella Drama will not run in the Grand Sefton Chase back at Aintree next weekend. The nine-year-old gained a well-deserved day in the sun when landing the Grade 2 Old Roan Chase at the Liverpool venue under Brian Hughes last Sunday. Minella Drama does hold an entry over the Grand National fences in the Grand Sefton on November 9, but connections are opting to look elsewhere.

Sam Twiston-Davies is clear to ride at Ascot on Saturday after his successful appeal reduced a careless riding suspension to four days from seven. Twiston-Davies' was banned for causing interference at Stratford recently, but Harry Cobden, who was on the receiving end of the incident, told a disciplinary panel on Thursday morning that he was also responsible.