The top novice Nick Dundee was the order of the day in yesterday's Gold Cup ante-post market as connections tried to play down widespread speculation that he will be switched from the SunAlliance Chase to the Cheltenham showpiece next week. The Sean Graham organisation cut Nick Dundee from 20 to 1 to 14 to 1 for the Gold Cup following substantial support and Brian Graham said: "The way the horse is being backed straight, and not with a run, means it looks like he will run in the Gold Cup."
Nick Dundee had been as low as 7 to 4 favourite for the novice event but the gelding's owner John Magnier is believed to favour a tilt at chasing's blue riband despite the horse having had only four races over fences.
The British Tote, who sponsor the Gold Cup, reacted by taking Nick Dundee out of their SunAlliance market and make him just 9 to 1 for the Gold Cup.
A spokesman for Magnier countered the rumour machine and said: "We are still weighing up the pros and cons. We have decided to leave a decision until as close as possible, probably Saturday. No decision has been taken about which race he runs in or who rides."
Nick Dundee's trainer Edward O'Grady said: "Hopefully I will meet John Magnier tomorrow or Friday and discuss the options with him. Apart from that I haven't heard a dicky bird. All I can confirm at the moment is that the horse is in the Gold Cup, the SunAlliance and the Cathcart and we will decide which one he runs in later."
Should Nick Dundee be allowed take his chance in the Gold Cup, it will place jockey Norman Williamson in a remarkable quandry.
Williamson is the regular rider of Teeton Mill, second favourite behind Florida Pearl for the big race. The Hennessy and King George winner is trained by Venetia Williams for whom Williamson rides regularly. However, sources yesterday could not rule out the possibility of the Irish-born rider deserting Teeton Mill for Nick Dundee should the Magnier owned horse get the Gold Cup green light.
A spokesman for Teeton Mill's owners, the Winning Line Syndicate, commented: "As far as we are concerned Norman rides. We have not thought about any replacement because we have got no indication that Norman will not be riding the horse."
Ladbrokes were speculating yesterday that Nick Dundee could end up as low as 10 to 1 for the Gold Cup in their ante-post market.
Their spokesman Mike Dillon said: "There has been a lot of speculation about where Nick Dundee will be running, followed by a constant flow of money all day."
Dillon added: "Personally I'll be surprised if he runs in the Gold Cup and the money for him has surprised me. I've the utmost regard for the horse but the way the ground is he looks to have the SunAlliance at his mercy."
