RACING: The Pillar Chase in 11 days' time, followed by the Hennessy Gold Cup, is Plan A in the Cheltenham preparation of the Gold Cup joint-favourite Sackville.
Trainer Frances Crowley yesterday confirmed the horse will be entered for the Pillar and a possible pre-festival trip to Cheltenham.
"A final decision will be left until nearer the time but if he did go, and if he ran well and came out of it well, it would be great if he could run in the Hennessy afterwards. It would be ideal if he could run in both, but we will have to see," she said.
Sackville, who is joint favourite with Best Mate in most Gold Cup ante-post markets, missed the Ericsson because of a runny nose but Crowley is not pressing any panic buttons yet.
"He does tend to lose fitness quickly but I'm not too worried. He should be ready and he is back in full work now," she added.
Another Pillar possible is Sunday's Leopardstown Chase runner -up Rince Ri but one horse that will not be seen for a while is Dorans Pride.
His trainer Michael Hourigan said yesterday: "I doubt if he will make the Hennessy and I would say it will be late February before we look to run him. He was off for six weeks and we will have to wait and see if his enthusiasm is still there, but if it is we might end up looking at the Irish National."
Dorans Pride picked up a leg injury that resulted in a prolonged spell of box rest and the impact of that on the veteran star's zest for the game is still unknown.
"The one thing is that he will not be made a fool of if his heart isn't in it anymore. He has been a wonderful horse who has been at the top level for eight years and he has been a great advertisement for me. He won't be messed around. But at the moment he is cantering and is in great old form," Hourigan reported.
Other news yesterday centered on the Pierse Hurdle winner, Adamant Approach, who is now unlikely to try for a follow up in the Tote Gold Trophy. Instead Joe Cullen is the more likely Willie Mullins Newbury runner, with Adamant Approach possibly waiting for the Deloitte & Touche at Leopardstown.
Looks Like Trouble will face a maximum of eight rivals if he makes his eagerly awaited reappearance at Wincanton on Saturday. He is also entered in the Bet Direct Peter Marsh Chase at Haydock on the same day.
