Gilgamboa likely to skip Cheltenham Gilgamboa is unlikely to head for the Cheltenham Festival next month following his below-par performance at Navan on Sunday. The high-class hurdler looked destined for the top of the novice chasing ranks after winning his first two starts over fences, but was firmly put in his place by the brilliant Un De Sceaux in last month's Arkle at Leopardstown. He was an odds-on favourite to get back on the winning trail in the Flyingbolt Novice Chase, but was disappointingly beaten by rank outsider Rawnaq. Gilgamboa holds entries in the Arkle Trophy and the JLT Novices' Chase at Prestbury Park, but trainer Enda Bolger is in favour of giving his charge a break. He said: "He seems fine. He had a bit of a cut behind, but that wasn't the reason he disappointed. "He just ran very flat on the day. He'd seemed fine at home since Leopardstown, but Mark (Walsh) said he didn't jump or travel with the same fluency as he had before. "I think he needs a bit of a break now, so that's the plan. I'd say it would be odds against for him to go there (Cheltenham). "We'll give him a break and bring him back later in the spring. He's crying out for two and a half (miles) and I'm looking forward to next season with him. "I feel sorry for the horse that he underperformed, but these things happen."
