Poquelin to swerve Gold run
The weights for Saturday's Spinal Research The Atlantic 4 Gold Cup are set to rise as last-year's winner Poquelin has been declared an unlikely runner.
Last Updated: 04/12/11 3:24pm
The weights for Saturday's Spinal Research The Atlantic 4 Gold Cup are set to rise as last-year's winner Poquelin has been declared an unlikely runner.
The Paul Nicholls-trained chaser has won the last two renewals of the valuable handicap at Cheltenham but has met with a minor setback.
Owner Andy Stewart will still be represented by Ghizao, whom he owns along with David Johnson, Tatenen and possibly Nomecheki.
"It's highly unlikely Poquelin will run. He's got a tiny little bruise and we don't want to run him under top-weight if he's not right," said Stewart.
"Woolcombe Folly is going to stay in at the top of the weights and I'm still going to have Ghizao running, who I own in partnership with David Johnson. Ruby (Walsh) will be riding him.
"Tatenen will also run with Andrew Thornton on board and Nomecheki will also be left in at the five-day stage, despite pulling up in the Grand Sefton at Aintree on Saturday."
Alan King is leaning towards running Medermit, who was third behind Master Minded and Somersby in the Amlin 1965 Chase last month after winning the Haldon Gold Cup.
"I think he'll run but Poquelin is not running now which changes things a bit," said King.
"I want to see what the weights are like when they are unveiled tomorrow.
"I'm pretty sure he'll run on Saturday but we'll have a good look at the race.
"He's in very good order and he's come out of the Ascot race well."