Irish miss out as War Of Attrition exits Gold Cup

Published on Monday 9 March 2009 22:40

WAR Of Attrition has been ruled out of Friday's totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup by trainer Mouse Morris. The ten-year-old, winner of the blue riband event in 2006, jarred himself slightly as he came out of his box on Sunday morning.

He is now likely be geared towards a tilt at the John Smith's Grand National at Aintree on 4 April. "War Of Attrition will not run in the Gold Cup as he was a bit jarred when we pulled him out of his box on Sunday," said the County Tipperary handler.

"We gave him a scan and that came back perfect, which was a big relief, but I'm not going to take a chance with him. I would say he'll be sound by Friday and he'll probably go for the National at Aintree now.

"It's disappointing to miss the Gold Cup, but the National is a good race to go for with him."

War Of Attrition's absence at Cheltenham means there will not be a single Irish-trained runner in the highlight of the National Hunt season.

Meanwhile, Master Minded has been installed as a 2-7 chance to complete back-to-back victories in tomorrow's Seasons Holidays Queen Mother Champion Chase.

Coral offer odds of 11-8 that Paul Nicholls' six-year-old will win by 13 lengths or more after his demolition job in last year's renewal. Master Minded strolled home by 19 lengths and he faces just 11 rivals, including David Pipe's veteran, Well Chief, in the two-mile contest.

"Master Minded is sure to be sent off the shortest-priced favourite at the Festival, and as far as we're concerned the only question is how far will Clive Smith's charge win by?" said Coral's David Stevens.

Well Chief will be having his first start in 698 days after an injury lay-off and will be bidding to make amends after crashing out at the second fence when sent off favourite in 2007.

Colm Murphy's Big Zeb is most punters' idea of the major challenger to Master Minded while Nicholls also runs previous Grade One winner Twist Magic.

Nicky Henderson's Petit Robin finished well behind Master Minded in the Victor Chandler last time, but he takes his chance again along with former Champion Chase winner Newmill. Oaks-winning trainer Andrew Balding fields Briareus while Santa's Son, Scotsirish, Ashley Brook, Mahogany Breeze and Marodima also run.

One major absentee is last year's Arkle winner Tidal Bay. Trainer Howard Johnson has decided to skip another clash with Master Minded having been put well in his place in the Tingle Creek back in December.

The Ryanair was always his more likely destination but even that is not set in stone as yet. "We've decided not to declare him for the Queen Mother and I'm not 100 per cent sure that he'll even run in the Ryanair, we might wait for Aintree with him," said Johnson.