/ Editor / 17 March 2007 / Leave a comment Free £25 Bet

Five of the first seven home in the Gold Cup at Cheltenham on Friday remain in the John Smith's Grand National field, with Monkerhostin arguably running the most eye-catching Aintree trial.

And trainer Philip Hobbs has already nominated the National as his 10-year-old's most likely next engagement.

Exotic Dancer (second), Turpin Green (third), Monkerhostin (fourth), State Of Play (sixth) and L'Ami (seventh) all did their reputations no harm behind Kauto Star, but it was the Hobbs horse who finished best of all, having been detached from the main group coming down the final hill.

Exotic Dancer is the shortest-priced of the Gold Cup runners in Betfair's National market at 29 with Monkerhostin on 42.