CASH AND Go remains in the mix for Cheltenham’s Supreme Novices Hurdle despite having been put on the sick-list following a disappointing effort in the Deloitte at Leopardstown nine days ago.
The Christmas Grade One winner could finish only fifth to Benefficient in the Deloitte, after which he drifted out to 25 to 1 in ante-post betting for the festival opener in three weeks’ time.
However, trainer Edward O’Grady is still hopeful of getting the horse to Cheltenham and a post-race workout at Leopardstown on Sunday week could be on Cash And Go’s agenda.
“He has just finished a course of antibiotics so is ready to start back. If after his next bit of work he ticks all the boxes then he can still go to Cheltenham. If he doesn’t then he won’t,” O’Grady said yesterday. “Leopardstown is a possibility for him. It’s an option.”
The Co Tipperary-based trainer has also entered The Way We Were for the Supreme, but indicated yesterday that JP McManus’s Leopardstown maiden winner is “doubtful” to travel to the festival.
Paul Nicholls has cancelled a scheduled media visit to his yard tomorrow. The British champion trainer was unhappy with the performance of some of his string over the weekend, and said it would be the wrong time to invite the press with some horses coughing in his care.
“It is fairly obvious that we had a moderate weekend,” said Nicholls. “We have several horses coughing and my first priority is to the owners in my yard.”
