RACING:Mouse Morris believes 2006 Cheltenham Gold Cup hero War Of Attrition is "good value" ahead of his bid to regain his crown at Cheltenham tomorrow week.
The 10-year-old returned from almost two years on the sidelines to score at Punchestown in October, and quickly followed up at Thurles the following month.
He has run with plenty of credit to be placed in Grade One company on his next two starts, most recently chasing home Exotic Dancer in the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas.
Morris is uncertain whether his stable star still has the ability that saw him take the blue riband event some three years ago but at around 40-1, the County Tipperary handler believes it would be dangerous to write him off.
"It's a case of so far so good with the horse and at the moment the ground looks like it should be ideal for him," said Morris.
"We have given him a break since Christmas and that was always going to be plan as that is the way we did things the year he won it.
"He really seems in very good fettle but whether he is as good as he was it is hard to tell. I guess we'll only find that out on the day.
"He is a big price but I think he is good value and he certainly doesn't know what price he is anyway. I wouldn't be taking him over for the fresh air so hopefully he will run his race.
"You just have to keep your fingers crossed we can keep him right and all being well, he will probably head over to Cheltenham on Monday or Tuesday depending on the weather."
Morris could also be represented by China Rock and Browns Baily at next week's showpiece meeting.
The former won by 25 lengths on his latest outing at Cork and is likely to take his chance in the Ballymore Properties Hurdle, while Browns Baily was a winner at Thurles last time and could line up in the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle.
"Both horses seem to be in great form and they will both appreciate the better ground at Cheltenham," Morris continued.
"I think they have each-way chances."