O'Brien in no rush with Past

Talented eight-year-old Forget The Past will not be seen in racecourse action until mid-December at the earliest.

While the gelding has not suffered from any injury concerns and is currently in fine fettle, he is yet to sparkle at home so connections have elected to bide their time.

He was disappointing when last seen at Punchestown in April but had earlier underlined his considerable promise with a close third behind War Of Attrition in the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Prestbury Park’s blue riband could again be on the agenda this season and trainer Michael O’Brien believes his charge could conceivably be joined by stablemate In Compliance at the Festival come March.

“Forget The Past is fine but he didn’t seem to be coming to hand that quickly so we are going to play it a bit slower with him,” he explained.

“He probably won’t be seen out until the middle of December or he could start off over Christmas.

“Hopefully the Gold Cup could be an option. I was hoping In Compliance might make up into a Gold Cup horse too but we’ll see how we go.”