RACING/News and preview: Edward O'Grady's star novice O'Muircheartaigh remains on course for Cheltenham next month, but will not have a pre-festival warm up after being ruled out of Naas on Sunday.
O'Muircheartaigh's name didn't feature among the 15 entries left in the Bar-One Johnstown Hurdle at yesterday's forfeit stage, and an intended pipe-opener after racing at Punchestown today has also been abandoned.
The six-year-old remains as low as 10 to 1 for the Supreme Novices Hurdle at Cheltenham despite not having run since early December when runner-up to Iktitaf in the Royal Bond at Fairyhouse.
"We had been thinking of sending both O'Muircheartaigh and Back In Front (as low as 16 to 1 for the Arkle) to Punchestown, but that hasn't worked out," O'Grady explained yesterday.
"I wanted Back In Front to have a school, but the chases were abandoned, and I wanted O'Muircheartaigh to have a gallop, but after seven races there I thought the ground might be too heavy.
"So instead I worked them both this morning and I feel it isn't necessary to have them in at Naas on Sunday. They will work two more times, including after racing at Leopardstown (March 5th) when Back In Front will school over fences," he added.
Back In Front won his sole chase start at Limerick on St Stephen's Day and, like O'Muircheartaigh, has been on the sidelines so far this year.
"Both have had hiccups in their preparation and as a result are probably just not as forward as one might wish. But I hope they will be by Cheltenham," O'Grady said.
One Arkle entry who will feature at Naas over the weekend is the ex-French star Nickname, who has a choice of two Grade Two options in the Anglo Irish Bank Nas Na Riogh for novices or the Newlands Chase over two miles.
Nickname made a huge impression in his first two Irish starts, but then was pulled up three fences out in the Irish Arkle behind Missed That.
"He was a bit flat for a while but has picked up well and the intention is to run at Naas. I'll examine the entries more and wait until closer to the time before deciding which race it will be," said trainer Martin Brassil yesterday.
If Nickname does take up the Newlands entry, he could end up facing the Grand National prospect Sir Oj, who Noel Meade believes could the ideal type for Aintree.
"The plan is the Racing Post Plate at Cheltenham and we'll see how he gets on there.
"But if we do decide to go to Aintree he could be a live contender, as he has a lot of class and jumps well. Both Paul (Carberry) and I think he will stay," said Meade, who also has Harbour Pilot as a National possible.
"He will run next in the Foxhunters and then we will see. But the Irish National might be more suitable for him," he added.
One horse who won't make the Cheltenham Festival is Philip Fenton's exciting novice chaser Sher Beau, who picked up a lung infection before disappointing in the Dr PJ Moriarty Chase at Leopardstown last time.
"He's had an easy week and won't be going to Cheltenham. We will look for a race somewhere before aiming at the Power Gold Cup at Fairyhouse," Fenton said.
Irish interest tonight at Nad Al Sheba in Dubai will centre on Robbie Osborne's Meld Stakes and McDonogh Handicap winner Latino Magic, who will again have Frankie Dettori in the saddle in the Group Two Al Fahidi Fort over a mile on turf.
Latino Magic's opposition will include Clive Brittain's high-class Kandidate and the Group Three winner Linngari.
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