Foxchapel King may bypass next month`s Hennessy Gold Cup at Leopardstown and go straight for the Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup without another race, it was revealed today.
The fast-improving eight-year-old, unbeaten this season and who landed the Ericsson Chase at the Dublin track last month has been a popular choice in the Cheltenham betting for each-way punters in recent weeks.
Trainer Mouse Morris today confirmed that his charge was a definite runner at Cheltenham but only "50-50" to run in the Hennessy on February 10th.
"I`ve got worries about the ground and whether the two races might just come a bit quick for him," Morris said today.
"He certainly wouldn`t run at Leopardstown if it was soft or heavy as there would be no point. It`s very wet over here at the moment.
"But the Gold Cup is definitely on the cards for him. He`s about the only one in the betting that hasn`t blotted his copybook so far this season.
"Cheltenham is what we are dreaming of and he has won round there before so it won`t be a problem if it is good ground."
Morris warned that Foxchapel King would not be going to Aintree for the Martell Grand National, a race for which he is quoted in some bookmakers` lists.
"He hasn`t even been entered," the trainer said.
Foxchapel King is a 20-1 chance with William Hill for the Gold Cup.
PA