Noel Chance has still to find a replacement for Norman Williamson on leading Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup fancy Looks Like Trouble.
Williamson, who has ridden Looks Like Trouble in all his four starts this season including when successful at Cheltenham last time, was "jocked-off" by owner Tim Collins because of the ride he gave the gelding in the Pertemps King George VI Chase, a decision he described as a "sick joke".
"I'm going to let the dust settle and won't decide on a jockey until Thursday or Friday," Chance said yesterday. There's quite a few interested."
The Lambourn trainer expressed himself pleased with the eight-year-old's preparation for chasing's blue riband.
Len Lungo's Cheltenham Festival hope Celtic Giant pleased his trainer in a work-out with a solitary galloping companion after racing at Newcastle yesterday.
Lungo said afterwards: "We have deliberately not run him since the Durham National at Sedgefield last April because he is a horse which runs best when fresh - he ran his two best races last season first and second time out."
Celtic Giant is now on course for a bid to win the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Chase for the second year running, having bolted in by 14 lengths from Tell The Nipper 12 months ago. He started favourite for the Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse on his next outing, but was pulled up as he was at Sedgefield on his only other run.
Lungo added: "It is almost certain that Philip Fenton will ride him at the Festival and we are hoping for another good run. If he runs well there and comes out of the race all right the intention is to run him in the Grand National at Aintree.
"He has 9st 7lb and he may have a problem getting in the race so we are keeping our fingers crossed as we would love to have a go."
Decoupage's preparation for the Irish Independent Arkle Trophy Chase is pleasing Charlie Egerton.
The eight-year-old, who is 3 to 1 favourite with Ladbrokes for the race, has not raced since landing the Extraman Henry VII Novices' Chase at Sandown last December from Wakeel and Saturday's impressive Kempton winner Gloria Victis and the trainer said: "The horse is fine and on schedule for Cheltenham."
Egerton also had news of his Rendlesham Hurdle winner Teaatral, who is the 10 to 1 favourite with the sponsors for the Coral Cup at Cheltenham following his impressive victory at Kempton on Friday.
He said: "Teaatral is very well, absolutely fine and touch wood, fingers crossed and everything else the horses are all on schedule."
Micky Hammond, who sent out Deep Water to win the Village Leisure Hurdle at Haydock last weekend, said yesterday: "I was very pleased to see him come back with a win. He will be left in the Champion Hurdle and the County Hurdle so I will have to speak to his owner before we decide what to do."
Sue Smith's husband, Harvey, reported that The Last Fling was in good order, following his impressive win in Haydock's £100,000 De Vere Gold Cup and Cheltenham is next stop.
He made no secret of the fact that he does not agree with those who say the Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup is beyond the 10-yearold, and he added, with a wry smile: "He is not improving, the others are going back!
"He is in good form and definitely goes for the big one, and he likes fast ground, you know."
Micky Hammond, who sent out Deep Water to win the Village Leisure Hurdle at the same track, said yesterday: "I was very pleased to see him come back with a win. He will be left in the Champion Hurdle and the County Hurdle so I will have to speak to his owner before we decide what to do."
Sue Smith's husband, Harvey, reported that The Last Fling was in good order, following his impressive win in Haydock's £100,000 De Vere Gold Cup and Cheltenham is next stop.
He made no secret of the fact that he does not agree with those who say the Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup is beyond the 10-yearold, and he added, with a wry smile: "He is not improving, the others are going back!
"He is in good form and definitely goes for the big one, and he likes fast ground, you know."
