Noel Meade yesterday confirmed Native Dara a runner in Saturday's £100,000 Tote Gold Trophy at Newbury, but two of his big Cheltenham hopes, Frozen Groom and Sausalito Bay, will miss their engagements at Punchestown the following day.
Frozen Groom, the main Irish challenger for the Arkle Trophy at the festival, had been a possible for the Grade Two novice chase and Sausalito Bay was in the Grade Two novice hurdle but both will now go to Cheltenham without another run.
'I'm happy enough with what both have done and I'm more inclined to wait now. The plan is to go straight to Cheltenham,' said Meade.
'It's almost certain that Sausalito Bay will run in the two-mile Supreme Novices Hurdle, as the same owners have Oa Baldixe for the SunAlliance. Oa Baldixe will run first in the Johnstown Hurdle unless the ground turns up very heavy,' Meade added.
Native Dara, to be ridden by Paul Carberry, is a best priced 16 to 1 for Newbury, with John Hassett's Back On Top attracting most of the support in the ante-post market. It remains possible that Ireland will be three-handed in the race as a spokesperson for Arthur Moore said yesterday that Owen Bart is 'a possible runner although a lot depends on the weather. No riding arrangements have been made'.
Willie Mullins reported yesterday that his SunAlliance Chase candidate, Alexander Banquet, will have one more run before Cheltenham.
Fourth to Native Upmanship in last weekend's Moriarty Chase, Alexander Banquet hasn't won since November's Drinmore Chase, but Mullins said yesterday: 'I'm happier with the way he has come out of Sunday's race. I`m looking to give him another race, either at Naas or Navan, but he is still a definite for Cheltenham.'
Mullins added that the Gold Cup hope, Florida Pearl, remains 'a little stiff' following his Hennessy victory, but said: 'Our vet has seen him this morning and I'm sure there is nothing to worry about.'
