THE star novice Nick Dundee will not, after all, run in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Days of intense speculation ended yesterday when jockey Norman Williamson confirmed he will ride Teeton Mill in Thursday's championship race and Nick Dundee in Wednesday's Royal & SunAlliance Novices' Chase.
A spokesman for Nick Dundee's owner John Magnier said: "John has decided the novice race is the one and Norman Williamson will ride."
Nick Dundee's trainer, Edward O'Grady, added: "The ground can dry out quickly at Cheltenham and that may well have influenced John Magnier's decision. I would imagine the horse will also be declared for Thursday's Cathcart Cup. It makes sense to have a second string to the bow in case of unforeseen circumstances in the SunAlliance."
O'Grady reports Nick Dundee to be in good form and will give him a last piece of work today before travelling the horse to Cheltenham on Monday. On Wednesday, Nick Dundee was taken out of the British Tote's SunAlliance ante-post market and made as low as 9 to 1 for the Gold Cup.
The two domestic fixtures this weekend are understandably mundane as the industry gears up for the season's highlight next week.
Rince Ri and Micko's Dream, however, would be two horses that would not be out of place in the SunAlliance field. Instead they go head to head in today's £20,000 EBF Chase Final, with Magical Approach and Section Seven also thrown into the small field.
Rince Ri is conceding weight but is unbeaten over fences and didn't have to hit top gear to defeat the decent Manus The Man at Naas last month by for and a half lengths. This strapping horse looks one to keep on the right side of at least until the unbeaten run is halted.
The Ted and Ruby Walsh team can also score with Blasket Sound in the Trim Handicap Chase. Surprisingly beaten at Clonmel in an amateur race last time out, Blasket Sound was impressive when winning at Naas in January and looks a horse that responds to Ruby Walsh's strong handling.
Tomorrow's card at Naas sees the remarkable Limestone Lad go for another success, this time in the handicap hurdle off 12st.
Kieran Kelly takes a valuable allowance off his back, and such is Limestone Lad's resolution, perfectly illustrated with his defeat of Gentle Mossy last weekend, that he will again be hard to beat.
