Mick Fitzgerald has elected to ride Copsale Lad ahead of Crozan in tomorrow's Paddy Power Gold Cup.

With first call on trainer Nicky Henderson's pair, the rider admitted he had been agonising over the decision for a number of days as he believes each has rock-solid credentials.

However, he eventually plumped for Copsale Lad, who at 8 to 1 is four points shorter than Crozan in the sponsors' betting.

Barry Geraghty has picked up the ride on the latter.

Copsale Lad is still waiting for his first chase success outside novice company but appeared unlucky when badly hampered in last year's renewal.

Confirming his choice for a race he won with Fondmort four years ago, Fitzgerald said: "It was a very tough call and I firmly believe both horses have very good chances.

"Both will go well at Cheltenham and both will go well over the trip and on the ground."

The prestigious, two-and-a-half-mile event was dealt a blow with the defection of ante-post favourite Don't Push It, who was found to be lame by trainer Jonjo O'Neill.

Frank Berry, racing manager to owner JP McManus, said the team will assess the extent of Don't Push It's problem in the near future. Berry added: "He's got a slight setback, he's lame behind. Hopefully, it's not serious and we'll know more in a week or so. Unfortunately these things happen in racing."

Gold Cup betting: Paddy Power:9-2 Granit Jack, L'Antartique; 5-1 Abragante; 8-1 Copsale Lad; 10-1 Bob Hall, Knowhere, Private Be, Vodka Bleu; 12-1 Crozan, 16-1 bar.

Coral:7-2 Granit Jack; 5-1 Abragante, L'Antartique; 9-1 Copsale Lad; 10-1 Bob Hall, Knowhere, Vodka Bleu; 11-1 Crozan, Private Be; 12-1 Idole First; 14-1 bar.