Justified to bypass Fairyhouse
Unbeaten in two starts over fences, the six-year-old had been considered for the Grade One Pierse Group Drinmore Novice Chase by trainer Eamonn Murphy.
However, the Co Kilkenny-based handler said: “He is not going to run and will definitely go to Leopardstown over Christmas.”
Justified is a top-priced 8-1 shot for the Arkle at Cheltenham in March.
Meanwhile, Baracouda, four-time winner of the totesport Long Walk Hurdle, heads the 18 entries for this year’s renewal at Windsor on December 17.
Francois Doumen’s 10-year-old has taken the Grade One race in 2000, 2001 and 2003 when run at its usual home of Ascot and he also took last year’s race at Windsor.
He could again meet Ladbrokes World Hurdle winner Inglis Drever, who beat the French raider in the Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury last weekend.
The latter’s trainer Howard Johnson has another strong contender in Royal & SunAlliance Novices’ Hurdle winner No Refuge, after he landed a Grade Two Blue race at Windsor last month.
Champion trainer Martin Pipe could be represented by French import Don’t Be Shy, the useful dual purpose performer It Takes Time, Korelo, Seebald and Westender.
Starzaan is another possibility with the Grade Two winner of 2004 having not run since finishing fourth in April of that year.
Trainer Hughie Morrison said: “He hasn’t got too many options at the moment, and I don’t want to run him under top weight in a handicap after such a long time off.”
Other interesting contenders include Bob Bob Bobbin, a useful novice last season, and Brewster, successful in the Challow Hurdle at Newbury last term.
