Trainer Noel Meade reports Cheltenham Gold Cup third Road To Riches to be "100 per cent ready" for his return to action in Thursday's Clonmel Oil Chase.
The eight-year-old had an excellent campaign last season, winning the Galway Plate, the JNwine.com Champion Chase at Down Royal and the Lexus at Leopardstown before placing at Prestbury Park in March and in the Punchestown Gold Cup.
Not allowed
He was not allowed to defend his crown at Down Royal at the end of last month, with owners Gigginstown House Stud instead choosing to rely on Don Cossack, and as a result Road To Riches was rerouted to this two-and-a-half-mile contest.
Meade said: “We’re looking forward to getting him going and he’s in great form.
“I couldn’t be happier with what he’s been doing at home and it’s all systems go.
“The ground would be more of a worry than the two-and-a-half [miles]. “The track wouldn’t be ideal, but there’s nothing we can do about that and I think he’s 100 per cent ready to go.”
