Don't Push It misses Paddy Power Gold Cup

Ante-post favourite Don’t Push It has been ruled out of the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham on Saturday.

The JP McManus-owned seven-year-old had been a 7-2 chance with the sponsors but was found to be lame by trainer Jonjo O’Neill.

The Jackdaws Castle handler had warned his charge was a doubtful starter after being informed he had a problem while attending racing at Bangor on Wednesday.

“Don’t Push It misses the Paddy Power as he was found to be lame this morning,” O’Neill told www.racingpost.com.

Frank Berry, racing manager to McManus, said the team will assess the extent of Don't Push It's problem in the near future.

Berry added: “He’s got a slight setback, he’s lame behind.

“Hopefully it’s not serious and we’ll know more in a week or so. Unfortunately these things happen in racing.”

The Don’t Push It team will still be represented in the race by Bob Hall, runner-up to L’Antartique in last season’s Jewson Novices’ Handicap Chase at the Festival.

“He’s in good form and he won’t mind the ground,” Berry said.