Taquin Du Seuil added to Ryanair Chase line-up
Jonjo O’Neill’s nine-year-old is already a Festival winner having landed the JLT Novices’ Chase in 2014, but he could finish only ninth in last year’s Ryanair Chase.
O’Neill had initially ruled out Taquin Du Seuil as he was sidelined by injury in the first half of the current campaign, but he recovered quicker than expected and returned to win at Warwick last month.
Connections had been looking towards the Brown Advisory & Merriebelle Stable Plate but have decided to go for Grade One glory instead.
His addition means there are 23 possibles at the six-day stage.
They include Vautour, Valseur Lido and Road To Riches, who are also in the Gold Cup frame, while Vroum Vroum Mag stays in but looks to be heading for the OLBG.com Mares’ Hurdle.
Al Ferof, former winner Dynaste and Paddy Power Gold Cup winner Annacotty also stand their ground.
Josses Hill and Captain Conan are Nicky Henderson’s options with Smashing, Gilgamboa and Fine Rightly still also in the mix for Ireland.
The likes of Village Vic, Vibrato Valtat, Top Gamble, Kings Palace and Oscar Rock remain, too.
Meanwhile, David Pipe has admitted defeat in his battle to get Moon Racer back to the Festival.
An impressive winner of the Champion Bumper last March, minor setbacks have prevented him from running this season.
Pipe had hoped to run him in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle on Tuesday, despite his lack of experience, but he has been forced to abandon that idea.
However, he does still hope to get him out before the current campaign draws to a close.
He tweeted: “Unfortunately we have run out of time with Moon Racer and he will not run at the Cheltenham Festival.
“We will look at Aintree and Punchestown.”
