Connections wait with Lennon

Lennon may now head straight for the Cheltenham Festival after demanding conditions ruled him out of an outing at Huntingdon on Wednesday.

Graham Wylie’s imposing seven-year-old has three bloodless victories to his name already this season and is a general 10-1 shot for the Irish Independent Arkle Challenge Trophy Chase.

Trainer Howard Johnson had entered him for the rescheduled H.B.L.B. Lightning Novices’ Chase at Huntingdon but he was not declared on Tuesday.

“We didn’t want to risk him in heavy ground as he’s such a good horse,” said Lennon’s owner Graham Wylie.

“Howard said the most important thing is to get him to Cheltenham. He may go straight there, as there is also Aintree and Punchestown to think about.

“We will just keep him schooled and ticking over for the moment.”