Flow unlikely to take up Hennessy entry

Strong Flow is a surprise entrant for the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Leopardstown on Sunday week.

However, connections of the classy gelding stressed today that it was purely as a “back-up”.

The Paul Nicholls-trained eight-year-old returned from a year on the sidelines earlier this month when finishing third over hurdles at Warwick, and his next target remains the Aon Chase at Newbury on February 12.

“It is just a back-up plan, that’s all, as the idea is still the Aon,” said Nicholls’ assistant Daniel Skelton.

“He is absolutely fine at the moment and we are really getting on with him. It will be a gap of a month between his race at Warwick and then Newbury and we are really pleased with him.”

Nine other runners have been entered for the showpiece Irish contest, including Sue Smith’s Chives and Murphy’s Cardinal, with whom Noel Chance won at Down Royal earlier in the season.

Beef Or Salmon, who floored Best Mate in the Lexus Chase at the track over Christmas, is scheduled to bid for a second victory having been successful in 2003.

Top dual-purpose performer Rule Supreme and perennial front-runner Cloudy Bays complete the field, along with Pizzarro, Hersov, Jack High and Doodle Addle.