Doumen on weather-watch

Francois Doumen is keeping a close eye on the weather as he continues to mull the possibility of sending L’Ami for Saturday’s Letheby & Christopher Chase at Cheltenham.

The seven-year-old was last seen finishing a creditable fourth behind Kicking King in the King George VI Chase at Sandown on St Stephen's Day and is a general 25-1 shot for the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup.

L’Ami could clash with a number of his Festival rivals at the weekend but Doumen will not let his promising chaser run unless he is satisfied with the ground, which is currently described as good.

“I want to run him but it all depends on the ground,” said Doumen. “Racing relies heavily on the weather and that is no different this weekend.

“The ground is good at the moment, which could be okay, but it is also supposed to get very cold as well.

“If the ground is satisfactory he will run but if it is firm I won’t be bringing him.”