THIEF SWERVES FESTIVAL
IDENTITY THIEF is unlikely to take his chance in the Arkle Trophy at next month’s Cheltenham Festival.
Henry de Bromhead’s gelding has failed to complete on his last two starts and was forced to miss yesterday’s Flyingbolt Chase at Navan due to lameness.
With no other suitable prep race before the Festival, owners Gigginstown are set to reroute Identity Thief to April’s Ryanair Gold Cup at Fairyhouse.
Co-owner Michael O’Leary said: “He pulled out lame in the morning after pulling a shoe off himself in the box last night.
“The frustrating thing is that it probably rules out Cheltenham. We can’t get a prep race in before then and we can’t go to the Arkle after pulling up and falling.
“We’ll probably keep him at home and target the Ryanair Gold Cup at Fairyhouse at Easter. He’s just been unfortunate.”
O’Leary also said that Don Poli and Outlander will go for the Cheltenham Gold Cup after being pulled out of the Grand National in a much-publicized row about their weights.
The owner backs the Ryanair Chase which is the target for Sub Lieutenant and Empire Of Dirt. who also held Aintree entries.
■ Cue Card is reported to be thriving by Colin Tizzard after Saturday’s Ascot Chase triumph.
The 11-year-old will now join stablemates Thistlecrack and Native River in next month’s Gold Cup and the handler admits he faces an anxious three weeks before the Blue Riband.
■ American will run in next month’s RSA at Cheltenham as long as the going is suitable.
Trainer Harry Fry confirmed that his exciting novice would bid for glory in the Grade 1 novice chase rather than step up to four miles in the National Hunt.
■ Talented novice Cliffs Of Dover has been ruled out for the rest of the current season by Paul Nicholls.
The winning machine was due to tackle the Triumph Hurdle at the Festival but faces a spell on the sidelines due to a leg injury.
■ Nicky Henderson is still to decide on Whisper’s target at the Cheltenham Festival.
The top novice could stay over 2m4f in the JLT after winning both outings over that distance although he is also a leading fancy for the three-mile RSA Chase.
The handler also said Josses Hill will head straight to the Ryanair after the Ascot Chase.
■ AMBERJAM (4.00) is in the form of his life and Oliver Sherwood’s gelding can continue his bright start over fences in the Surrey National at Lingfield.