Danoli to enjoy Christmas break

While the big guns will be slugging it out over Christmas, Tom Foley yesterday declared himself happy to keep Danoli's powder dry until the Hennessy Gold Cup in February.

The 1997 Hennessy winner has not had a saddle on his back for the last fortnight after picking up an infection in a hind fetlock, but Foley is not immediately concerned.

"As it is we can get on with preparing him and everybody is concentrating on everyone else," Foley said.

"He's on the walker every day and has had a few swims, but he won't be saddled until after Christmas. With not a word said about us, we'll turn up at the Hennessy at about 33 to 1 and that suits us.

"If everything goes well between now and then I'll be going to Leopardstown singing. He's still a horse with a lot of ability and the others will be worrying about him, not the other way around," he said.

Foley does, however, consider Florida Pearl the horse that all the other Gold Cup contenders have to beat.

"He's a fine horse but he still has questions to answer. If Imperial Call goes to England and the English horse Suny Bay doesn't come here, then he will still have questions to answer. It certainly won't mean that the Gold Cup is over," Foley added.

Danoli is generally priced at 33 to 1 for the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Raymond Hurley now seems certain to target Imperial Call at the King George VI Chase at Kempton Park on St Stephen's Day.

The nine-year-old has impressed in his efforts so far this term, beating Dorans Pride by a length and a half last time out at Punchestown.

But although still reluctant to make a final decision on Imperial Call's next target, Hurley said yesterday: "I'm leaning towards the King George rather than the Ericsson Chase at Leopardstown two days later.

"I would like Richard Dunwoody to ride because Paul Carberry will be at Leopardstown and Conor O'Dwyer is still suspended.

"I haven't yet spoken to Richard but I will do so whenever I firm up on Imperial Call's plans."