Brian O'Connor

Edward O'Grady confirmed yesterday that the former Irish Champion Hurdle winner Ned Kelly will not be running at the Cheltenham Festival in two months time.

Many bookmaking firms have been quoting Ned Kelly for the Arkle Trophy with Ladbrokes making the horse as low as 16 to 1 for the race despite not having run in almost 14 months.

Ned Kelly is back in training but there are no plans for a return to the racecourse and none for Cheltenham.

"He won't even be entered there!" said O'Grady. "He is back in training but he hasn't schooled and I have nothing in mind for him at the moment. "

The John Magnier-owned horse has been off the track since picking up an injury behind Limestone Lad in the Hatton's Grace Hurdle at the end of 2002.

O'Grady also reported that his Champion Hurdle contender Back In Front is likely to appear at Cheltenham without a prep' run.

"We have the option of the Red Mills Hurdle at Gowran but the likelihood is for heavy ground there. I would say he could go straight to the festival," he said.

The stable's star novice chaser Pizarro, however, will run in the P J Moriarty Chase at Leopardstown on Hennessy day.

"I had thought about running him at Naas next weekend but he will more than likely go straight for the Moriarty," O'Grady commented.