TRAINER Michael Hourigan yesterday denied a report that a decision had been made to aim stable star Dorans Pride at next month's Gold Cup.

Owner Tom Doran appeared to end speculation about the gelding's participation at Cheltenham by telling the Sporting Life: "He is 100 per cent and we feel that as long as he stays that way it is all systems go for the Gold Cup."

But Hourigan said yesterday: "That is news to me.

"No decision has been made and it won't be for another 10 days. We'll just have to see what happens and see how the horse goes.

Hourigan has long stressed that Dorans Pride is not a certain runner in the Gold Cup, even though the eight year old is 11 to 2 second favourite for the race with William Hill after winning all five completed starts in novice chase.

Stepped up in class at Thurles last week the 1995 Stayers' Hurdle winner was in the lead when falling two fences from home.

But Hourigan said: "He is fine now and suffered no ill effects from his fall."

. Forgotten jockey Jamie Evans helped to spark a Martin Pipe bonanza at Haydock Park yesterday. The Australian rider, on the sidelines for 10 months after suffering an injury at the Cheltenham Festival, steered Allegation and Big Strand to victory.

Sandwiched between that pair, was a success for stablemate Eudipe, ridden by Richard Dunwoody. Then Pipe went on to complete a four timer at odds of more than 2,128 to 1 when Break The Rules took the concluding Levy Board Novices' Hurdle.

Evans (27) from Melbourne, had been kept on the sidelines until a month ago after breaking a femur when Robert's Toy crashed in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle last March.