War can win early skirmish

CHELTENHAM Gold Cup hero War Of Attrition sets out on the long road back to Prestbury Park in the Star 'Best For Racing' Chase at Punchestown this afternoon.

Mouse Morris reports his charge in good order for his seasonal reappearance and only if the ground turns very testing can one envisage defeat for the seven-year-old.

He's a horse who goes well fresh, as he again proved when returning from a break to land the Gold Cup in tremendous fashion in March, beating Hedgehunter a comfortable two and a half lengths.