Danoli still a Cup contender

DANOLI remains on course for a possible tilt at the Cheltenham Gold Cup following his fall at Leopardstown on Sunday.

Tom Foley's nine-year-old, a third fence faller in the Baileys Arkle Cup, will now be tested in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Leopardstown on February 2nd.

The only other Cheltenham Festival option for Danoli is the Arkle Trophy after Foley ruled him out of the Sun Alliance Chase.

He said: "It's now a case of one or the other. But I wouldn't say he'd have to win the Hennessy to go for the Gold Cup. It depends much more on whether or not he makes mistakes and if he sees out the trip.

"Danoli has never been as well and he likes the current state of the ground."

Danoli, hugely popular in Ireland, has won both his completed starts over fences this season. He is a 33 to 1 chance to win the Gold Cup with William Hill.

Challenger du Luc is ducking a clash with One Man in the Pillar Property Investments Chase at Cheltenham tomorrow and will instead tackle the Ladbroke Trophy on the same card.

Trainer Martin Pipe, speaking at Wincanton yesterday, said: "Challenger du Luc definitely runs in the Ladbroke race and Richard Dunwoody will ride."

The sponsors make Challenger du Luc a 9 to 4 chance, with Addington Boy the 6 to 4 favourite.

Plans for the weekend's other main betting race, the Pertemps Great Yorkshire Chase at Doncaster, are still uncertain.

Trainer Maurice Camacho will wait until just before today's deadline before announcing his decision.