Racing:Mouse Morris could
not be more pleased with War Of Attrition ahead of his bid for
back-to-back victories in the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
The eight-year-old led home an Irish one-two-three in the blue riband event 12 months ago and Morris is hoping he is in the same sort of form this year.
However, War Of Attrition has lost his last three starts, although connections believe better ground at Cheltenham will see him in a much more favourable light.
"War Of Attrition looks to be in the same kind of form now that he was 12 months ago and I am very happy with his condition," said Morris. "The ground in Ireland this year has been a nightmare - it's been too heavy for him.
"Although he has run some good races on soft ground, he's nowhere near as good on it as on better ground. It's like chalk and cheese - he's a different horse on decent ground.
"Despite the ground not being in War Of Attrition's favour, it has not affected his preparation for Cheltenham.
"We use the all-weather gallops and a good grass gallop and have all the facilities at home to have him in top shape for the Gold Cup. He won't be working at Leopardstown this weekend.
"I'm not over confident going to Cheltenham - lightning doesn't strike twice too often, but we have a decent chance and we'll give it a shot.
"The Gold Cup is the Gold Cup and there would be plenty of dangers, but we'll worry about our fellow rather than the others.
"Fingers crossed everything has gone to plan so far and we'll just have to see what happens in two weeks' time."
The Presenting gelding became the seventh winner of the Gold Cup in the last nine years to have graduated from the Irish point-to-point fields and Morris thinks it is the perfect grounding for National Hunt horses.
"War Of Attrition ran in one point-to-point, when he fell at the last. It's a far better preparation for jumping than bumpers. His jumping is very good now and that's what you need in the best races," added the County Tipperary handler.
War Of Attrition is a best-priced 5-1 with William Hill to repeat his Gold Cup heroics.