No surprises after novice forfeits There were no major shocks at the latest forfeit stages for the novice events at the Cheltenham Festival. As had been suggested earlier in the week by Enda Bolger, Gilgamboa has been taken out of both the Racing Post Arkle and the JLT Novices' Chase. Other horses scratched from the Arkle include Apache Stronghold, who is likely to run in the JLT, a which comment also applies to Ptit Zig, whose fellow Paul Nicholls inmate Solar Impulse was also missing from the Arkle list. The injured Champagne West and his Philip Hobbs stablemate Cheltenian are no longer in the JLT, with Close Touch, Rule The World and Arkle-bound Un De Sceaux missing. Gitane Du Berlais was taken out of the RSA Chase but remains in the JLT and Arkle, with Ned Stark also absent from the RSA leaving a tilt at a handicap appearing a likely route. A total of 38 were missing from the original list for the Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle, including Nicky Richards' progressive Glingerburn and the Triumph Hurdle favourite Peace And Co. Bristol De Mai was taken out of the Triumph with owners Simon Munir and Isaac Souede still able to call upon the favourite and Top Notch as well as Vercingetorix. Fiscal Focus was also taken out by Des McDonogh. The Albert Bartlett entry was reduced by 26 with John Ferguson's Qewy possibly the most noteworthy absentee, although he remains in the Supreme and the Neptune. Willie Mullins has taken his smart mares Morning Run and Lyrical Theatre out of all their novice options, along with high-profile acquisition Open Eagle.
