Escartefigue will run in the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Leopardstown tomorrow week after being pulled out of his engagement at Cheltenham today at the insistence of owner Darren Mercer. The Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup contender, trained by David Nicholson, was expected to take part in the Pillar Property Chase, but instead faces a tougher assignment by tackling old rival Florida Pearl at Leopardstown.

Escartefigue's performance in Ireland should help provide a significant clue to the destination of the Gold Cup as he was defeated by Florida Pearl's main market rival Teeton Mill in the King George VI Chase on his last outing. Nicholson's charge was second to Florida Pearl in the Royal & SunAlliance Chase at Cheltenham last year.

"The horse is perfectly well and we were keen to run him at Cheltenham tomorrow," Nicholson's assistant Alan King said yesterday.

"But the owner believes Escartefigue will get a better test in Ireland and the softer ground will be a help."