Sir Des Champs will lead Michael O’Leary’s Gigginstown Stud team into Cheltenham 2013 but one horse not on the boat will be Sunday’s Naas Grade Two winner Sweeney Tunes.
Despite a range of festival entries, trainer Paul Nolan revealed yesterday the novice will wait instead for Easter and a choice of engagements at Fairyhouse. “He’s come out of it very well. We were very pleased to win a Grade Two with a 137-rated horse,” said Nolan after Sunday’s Nas Na Riogh Chase victory.
“We ran him there instead of Cheltenham. We were going to go for one of the handicaps there, but thankfully we’ve picked up a Grade Two which is compensation for not having the trip over there.
“We’ll take a look at Fairyhouse with him now. He’ll have a couple of options there, the Powers Gold Cup and the Irish National.
“I suppose there won’t be as many horses taking him on with the horses that are going for the novice handicap, the RSA and the Arkle over there. Hopefully, he’d have a good chance against the ones who are staying at home,” he added.
Sweeney Tunes won on Sunday but his cause was aided by a very bad mistake at the third last by Mikael D’Haguenent who nevertheless finished less than eight lengths behind in third.
