Road to Riches fancied as Don Poli said to be ‘doubtful’ for Gold Cup

Ante-post favourite Road To Riches is set to lead a powerful Gigginstown Stud team in Saturday's Irish Gold Cup, as doubts surround the participation of another Michael O'Leary-owned star, Don Poli, in the €150,000 race.

The Ryanair boss saw his colours carried to back-to-back wins in the centrepiece of Leopardstown’s February Grade 1 card with Sir Des Champs and Last Instalment in 2013-14, and Road To Riches is as short as evens with some firms to provide a timely reminder.

Road To Riches hasn't been seen in action since November. However last year's Gold Cup third finisher is ready for a return to action on Saturday and isn't likely to want for Gigginstown back-up, although it appears that Don Poli may go straight to Cheltenham.

“Road To Riches, First Lieutenant, hopefully Sir Des Champs, and Wounded Warrior are all there, but I doubt Don Poli will go to Leopardstown. If he doesn’t run there, he will go straight to Cheltenham,” said Eddie O’Leary, Gigginstown’s bloodstock adviser.

Noel Meade worked Road To Riches after racing at Punchestown and said: “The plan is to run. He’s in good shape, his blood tests are good, so it’s all systems go.”

Clash again

Last year’s winner and runner-up, Carlingford Lough and Foxrock, are likely to clash again on Saturday, and another JP McManus-owned contender in the reckoning will be last season’s Grade 1 winning novice, Gilgamboa.

Eddie O’Leary confirmed Tombstone will contest the Deloitte Novice Hurdle and will wear a hood after his unlucky-in-running second to Long Dog at Leopardstown’s Christmas festival.

“No More Heroes won’t go in the novice (Flogas Novice Chase) and will instead go straight to Cheltenham,” O’Leary added.

Triumph Hurdle most fancied Ivanovich Gorbatov is already as short as 4-7 favourite for the Spring Juvenile Hurdle.