Beau set for early return

RATHGAR BEAU is set to make an early start to next season after having the current campaign cut short by a tendon injury.

Trainer Eamonn Sheehy reports the 10-year-old to have recovered from the setback he sustained when finishing second to Central House in the Hilly Way Chase at Cork in December.

Before that hehad run subsequent Cheltenham Gold Cup winner War Of Attrition to half-a-length in the Clonmel Oil Chase in November.

"He's perfect again now and cantered the other day. He'll be back good and early next season," said Sheehy.

"He's been beaten by two Gold Cup winners, War Of Attrition at Clonmel and Kicking King as well."

However, Sheehy will not be training Rathgar Beau for the Gold Cup with the Ryanair Chase likely to be his Cheltenham target.

"He won't be going for the Gold Cup two miles and five furlongs is as far as he wants to go," added the Co Kilkenny-based handler.

"The Ryanair at Cheltenham accommodates horses not good enough for the Queen Mother Champion Chase and who don't stay the Gold Cup trip.

"It's no-man's land so it's great for Cheltenham to put on a race like that."