After the resurgence in form for Willie Mullins over the last two days, his Gold Cup star Djakadam looks set to go off as favourite for the day's big race ahead of Cue Card.

Frank Keogh
BBC Sport at Cheltenham

Jockey Andrew Thornton has been working as a pundit at Cheltenham this week for BBC Radio 5 live, but has experienced the joy of winning a Gold Cup - on Cool Dawn in 1998.

"Every jockey dreams of riding in the Gold Cup. If you're on something you fancy, you'll have it mapped out weeks before," he told me.

"You get down to the start and you're on your own with the plan you've devised. You try to get a clear passage and get the horse jumping well and after that you're in the lap of the gods.

"To win it was the best thing that ever happened in my career.

"Ruby Walsh and Willie Mullins had a four-timer on Thursday and it could be their year with Djakadam. He handles the track and occasion and has enjoyed an uninterrupted preparation."

We are now going to focus on the big race of the day and the whole Festival, the Cheltenham Gold Cup which is now around 20 minutes away.

Cue Card? Djakadam? Native River? Tea for Two? Or someone else?

Who will be the 2017 winner?

Image source, PA

Trainer Willie Mullins has now won six of the past 10 races at the Cheltenham Festival. He had no winners after two days.

Frank Keogh
BBC Sport at Cheltenham

The start of the Cheltenham Gold Cup is fast approaching and this is the view jockeys will have from the final fence of the demanding uphill finish as they strive to win the prestigious race.

Runners and riders have to negotiate 22 fences over a distance of three-and-a-quarter miles.

Derek Thompson
Roving reporter at Cheltenham

Death Duty came down at the final flight. The horse is all right. I think he has got up where the winner is circling around. Jockey Bryan Cooper was holding his side but said he would be OK for the Gold Cup. 

Image source, Reuters

The favourite Death Duty fell at the last while out of contention.

Full result

1 Penhill (Paul Townend) 16-1

2 Monalee (D J Mullins) 8-1 

3 Wholestone (Daryl Jacob) 13-2 

15 ran

Image source, Reuters

Penhill (16-1) wins the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle.

It's a double for Paul Townend and Willie Mullins.

Augusta Kate is at the back of the field and needs to do plenty with three to go.

Ami Desbois still leads at the top of the hill.

They are fairly tighly packed as we reach a circuit to go.

The leading two in the betting Death Duty and Augusta Kate are in midfield but look comfortable.

There are 12 hurdles to negotiate over the three miles with Ami Desbois leading them away.

And we are under way in the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle - 15 of them in total.

They include Monalee, trained by Henry de Bromhead and ridden by David Mullins, who had a bit of a moment before the start but is now happily on his way.

Sunderland

Image source, PA

Sunderland manager David Moyes has essentially said that you can play at a relegation-threatened side and get in the England squad. What does that say about the national team?

"Great news for Jermain Defoe and good news for Sunderland. It shows that if you play here you can be an England international," the Scot said at the pre-match news conference.

"To get back in after so long out shows his professionalism and desire, but above all else Jermain scores goals.

"We need his goals and we need more goals, so we hope he gets a boost from it. It's a great achievement."

On opponents Burnley:  "They have been tough opponents for many teams. Their away form had been mentioned but they're well organised and well drilled."

BBC Radio 5 live

Former Newcastle and England striker Alan Shearer, part of the Masters Syndicate who own Augusta Kate, is hoping his horse can shine on the big stage in the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle at 14:50 GMT. 

"She's beautiful - so laid back. I think I'm more nervous," he tells BBC Radio 5 live.

"After a glass of wine at Augusta one night we agreed to have a syndicate and have a bit of fun and that's the Augusta connection. But we can't tell you about Kate!

"I hope the horse does a better job than I did in my cup finals. Winning would be a huge bonus but I just hope she comes home safe."

Image source, Reuters

After five wins over the opening three days of the Festival, Gordon Elliott will be hoping for more success with Death Duty .

The six-year-old is a short-priced favourite to make it five wins in a row but the biggest challenge could come from Augusta Kate , owned by sporting royalty Alan Shearer and Lee Westwood and showbiz royalty Ant and Dec, and trained by Willie Mullins.

The pair met in Naas in January but Augusta Kate fell at the last allowing Death Duty to win but the mare will be looking for revenge.

Image source, Rex Features

Image source, Getty Images

More from Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola on suggestions he's looking to sell a job lot of his squad:

"I have heard people have written that I will change 12 or 13 players. That is impossible. They have contract. You have to pay them. 

"We will try and improve the team. Next month and a half I expect a huge step forward. Next season will be better. Just because the full-backs are out of contract doesn't mean they will all leave. Some will stay."

Frank Keogh
BBC Sport at Cheltenham

Jockey Tom Scudamore had hoped to be on one-time hot favourite Thistlecrack for this afternoon's Cheltenham Gold Cup - but the horse was ruled out with an injury last month.

"It's obviously disappointing Thistlecrack hasn't made it. It's still going to be a great race but I'm biased in my view that probably the best horse in training isn't going to be there," he told me.

"My heart, the same as many, would love to see Cue Card do it. The closer we're getting, the more I'm siding with Sizing John, who kept on very well last time."

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has faced the media to preview Sunday's third-versus-fourth battle with Liverpool.

He was asked about reports that he is planning to overhaul his squad and allow up to 13 players to leave this summer.

"I’m so happy with the squad, the speculation is normal when you’re out of the competition, it happens everywhere not just the Premier League," he said.

As for going out of the Champions League on away goals to Monaco, he adds: "Lessons can be learned, that’s pretty sure. For a lot of my players it’s the first time they’ve played in this competition.

"Most of the goals we conceded were our mistake, it's happened many time this season and hopefully it will happen less next season."

A faller at the third-last 12 months ago... Cue Card would be a very popular winner of the Cheltenham Gold Cup.