Weld still undecided

RACING: A decision on whether Refuse To Bend will run in the Sagitta 2,000 Guineas won't be taken until just days before the first classic of the season.Dermot Weld stressed yesterday that he was in no rush to decide about the unbeaten colt's next start.

Refuse To Bend is a 7 to 1 third favourite for the Guineas on Saturday week but after his winning return at Leopardstown, Weld said the horse could instead take the Derby Trial route in the Derrinstown.

"He is in great form and the race the last day seems to have helped him. But we are not even close to a decision. There's no hurry and we probably won't decide until a few days before the Guineas.

"It will depend on several factors including the make up of the race and the ground," Weld said yesterday.

There were no hints at yesterday's final forfeit stage with all the big guns well represented, including Aidan O'Brien, who has the 7 to 4 favourite Hold That Tiger.

O'Brien has left in six others in the Guineas, including Tomahawk, Catcher In The Rye and Delacroix. Godolphin have five left including the 6 to 1 second favourite Lateen Sails.

The overseas challenge for the Punchestown festival highlight gathered more momentum yesterday with confirmation that Young Spartacus will run in the a160,000 Heineken Gold Cup.

The Henry Daly-trained star, winner of the Mildmay Of Flete at the Cheltenham festival after a 14 month lay-off, will be having his first start in Grade One company.

"He will run as long as the ground is not too fast. He has come out of Cheltenham very well and didn't run there last week because they hadn't had enough rain.

"It's always a worry stepping up in class but I haven't got much choice. He has to go to Punchestown," Daly said yesterday of the 2001 Racing Post Trophy winner.

The veteran See More Business and First Gold from France are other likely starters in Wednesday's feature and Hussard Collonges from Peter Beaumont's Yorkshire yard also looks like travelling.

"The ground must be a fair bit softer than good but we're hoping he can run," said Beaumont.

His wish appears likely to come true with the ground at the Co Kildare track currently "good" after 9mms of rain fell on Monday.

The Punchestown director of racing, Richie Galway, said: "We are expecting about three quarters of an inch more by the weekend and the weather is set to be unsettled over the weekend and on the run in to the festival.

"If the rain arrives I would expect the ground next week to be on the softer side of good." British trained horses won the Heineken Gold Cup three years in a row from 1996-98 with Billygoat Gruff, Noyan and Mahler.

Tipperary hosts a mixed card this afternoon and there will be plenty of interest in the first start of Newton in the opener.

The Danehill colt was put forward by Aidan O'Brien recently as a juvenile to look out for and this pacey sort should be up to winning first time out.

In the following mile and a half handicap, Kate Emily could be the one to be on having come up against the potentially well handicapped Mr Wong at Cork.

Styler was noted running on well behind Seaforde at Leopardstown and despite top weight in the nine-furlong handicap she looks worth an interest. Barry Geraghty may yet again be the man to follow over the jumps with good looking rides on Noble Shift and Mister Kilford.