Inothewayurthinkin set to be added to Gold Cup line-up
WEATHER WATCH: Inothewayurthinkin's Gold Cup participation will be dependent on suitable ground conditions. Picture: Bradley Collyer/PA
Randox Grand National favourite Inothewayurthinkin is likely to be supplemented for next week's Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup, although his participation will be dependent on suitable ground conditions.
Winner of the Kim Muir at last year's Cheltenham Festival before following up in Grade One company at Aintree, Gavin Cromwell's charge has yet to add to his tally this season but ran his best race of the campaign so far when fourth behind Galopin Des Champs in last month's Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown.
The JP McManus-owned seven-year-old is a general 7-1 market leader for the world's most famous steeplechase at Aintree on April 5 and connections are keen to first add him to the field for the blue riband at Prestbury Park at a cost of £25,000.
"I'd say he'll be supplemented for the Gold Cup as long as there's soft in the ground," said McManus' racing manager Frank Berry.
"There's only one Gold Cup and he's well at the minute, but it would be important there's soft in the (going) description for him to run.
"The supplementary stage is on Saturday and I'd say that's the plan. Gavin is happy with him, but there would need to be soft in the ground for him to run, so we'll see how that goes."
Berry also confirmed the intended participation of the Emmet Mullins-trained Corbetts Cross.
Another impressive winner at last year's Festival in the National Hunt Chase, the eight-year-old was second to Pic d'Orhy in the Grade One Ascot Chase on his latest outing.
Berry added: "He'll run, all going well. Both horses are intended runners as long as there is a bit of soft in the description."
Assuming Inothewayurthinkin and Corbetts Cross do line up in the Gold Cup, it is widely expected that another McManus-owned star, Fact To File, will instead drop back in trip for the Ryanair Chase.
Berry, however, insists no final decision has been made, saying: "It's wide open at the minute, we'll see what the ground is like and what's happening in the next few days.
"He's not completely out of it (Gold Cup) yet as so many things can happen in a week. All the options are open."
Meanwhile, Nicky Henderson has expressed his sympathy for James Bowen after confirming Harry Cobden will come in for the ride on Palladium at the Cheltenham Festival next week.
Bowen failed in his appeal to overturn a seven-day whip ban handed out after a recent win at Hereford, meaning he will be suspended during the Festival and miss out on partnering the high-class German Derby winner, whom he rode in a recent gallop at Kempton.
It means Cobden picks up the ride on Palladium in the JCB Triumph Hurdle.
Although pleased to have secured the services of Cobden, Henderson's thoughts were primarily with Bowen, who is a key member of the Seven Barrows team as second jockey to Nico de Boinville.
Henderson said: "I'm very sympathetic for James, but the plan is for Harry to ride Palladium and the others are all sorted down the line.
"We had to anticipate what might happen and unfortunately it has happened and James can't ride. It's a dreadful shame for James and the timing is horrible, you just feel very sorry for him.
"It's great to have Harry, there are a load of good guys but he's been in, they schooled very well together and it's all systems go."
