Attrition going to war in Gold Cup
The seven-year-old, of course, carries the colours of Gigginstown House Stud, which is owned by Ryanair supremo, Michael O'Leary.
As a result the inclination on the part of O'Leary to allow War Of Attrition, who will be ridden by Conor O'Dwyer, to take his chance in a race which his company sponsors must have been mighty tempting.
Exlained Morris: “The decision was left entirely to Conor and me. We have decided the Gold Cup is the right option.”
War Of Attrition was a best priced 10-1 chance with most firms yesterday.
The son of Presenting has been given a typical Morris preparation for Prestbury Park, having been rested since finishing second behind Beef Or Salmon in the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown at Christmas.
He came into that contest on the back of a very poor effort at Punchestown previously and, mindful he is a horse who often goes best fresh, Morris quickly decided to put him aside for Cheltenham.
First time out this season he beat last year's Gold Cup winner Kicking King at Punchestown and two years ago ran Brave Inca very close in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham.
He more than pleased both his trainer and O'Dwyer in a gallop on the flat at Gowran Park eleven days ago and, according to Morris, has simply been kept “ticking over” in the meantime.
War Of Attrition was also given an extensive schooling session on a racecourse of late, which reportedly went really well. He travels by ferry tomorrow.
Morris also reports live two mile Champion Chase candidate, Fota Island, the mount of Tony McCoy, in excellent shape for his big test on Wednesday.
Willie Mullins has firmed up plans for four of his runners in the Weatherbys' Champion Bumper on Wednesday.
Ruby Walsh will ride Equus Maximus, Johnny Murtagh partners Ballytrim, Katie Walsh will be aboard Freds Benefit and David Casey teams up with Shady Willow.
It seems virtually certain now that Equus Maximus, impressive when making a winning debut at Leopardstown, will go off favourite.
Meanwhile, Gold Cup favourite Beef Or Salmon, who travels on Wednesday, completed his preparations when jumping six fences on Saturday morning.
He is trained by Michael Hourigan, whose Church Island, considered a live outsider for the SunAlliance Novices Chase, will miss the meeting.
Church Islaand has met with a setback, after pulling a hamstring in a hind-quarter on Saturday.
Hardy Eustace, who will be attempting to become only the sixth horse to win three Champion Hurdles tomorrow, will have 17 opponents, following yesterday's final declaration stage.
Only Rasharrow came out of the contest and there will be five Irish runners, Hardy Eustace (Conor O'Dwyer), Brave Inca (Tony McCoy), Al Eile (Timmy Murphy), Macs Joy (Barry Geraghty) and Asian Maze (Ruby Walsh).
