Sackville returned to action at Gowran Park in the Hacketts Bookmakers Fighting Blindness Hurdle, but did little to enhance his Cheltenham Gold Cup prospects when finishing a soundly beaten third behind Be My Belle.
The Frances Crowley-trained gelding was never travelling well and, not surprisingly, his hurdling technique was very rusty. He gave a number of flights plenty of daylight, and also made a couple of mistakes notably at the hurdle in front of the stands with a circuit to run.
"David (Casey) said he hated the ground (officially heavy), and was never travelling. Today`s race is not that important but I would have to say I am a bit disappointed," said Crowley.
"He missed a week after Christmas with a dirty nose and his blood was also wrong. Unless anything shows up after this race, he will go for the Hennessy Gold Cup at Leopardstown," she added.
Bookmaker reaction was unanimous in pushing out the nine-year-old in the Gold Cup market. Ladbrokes go 10/1 (from 8/1), while Paddy Power and Cashmans both quote 8/1 (from 7`s).