Jodami out of Gold Cup as cloud hangs over Draborgie

JODAMI became the second Cheltenham Gold Cup winner this week to defect from this year's race when it was announced a bacterial infection will prevent him from making the line up at the Festival next Thursday.

Following the news on Monday that last year's Gold Cup hero Master Oats would not run again this season, trainer Peter Beaumont has admitted defeat in his race against time for Cheltenham and will now aim Jodami at the Martell Grand National on March 30th.

Veterinary tests on the 11 year old, successful in the race in 1993 and second to The Fellow the following year, arrived at Beaumont's Brandsby yard yesterday.

Shortly afterwards, the trainer made the announcement that the bay would not attempt to become the first horse in turf history to regain his Gold Cup crown.

"It is very disappointing but he is not quite right and he doesn't run," said Beaumont.

"He still has a bit of a bacterial infection - not really a virus as such - the same bug that the whole yard has.

"Now we'll look at the National as long as we have made certain the trouble has cleared up. We haven't had any runners this week, had three last week and wont have any next week.

"He has a good weight in the National, and I've thought he was a National horse, it's just that I would rather have gone to Cheltenham this year and thought about Aintree next year."

"It's a big disappointment. He has won the race and finished second and I still, think he could have run a race."

Jodami was a general 20 to 1 chance for next week's race.

Meanwhile, Martin Pipe has confirmed that the participation of his mare Draborgie, a strong ante post favourite for the Guinness Arkle Challenge Trophy at Cheltenham on Tuesday, is in doubt.

Draborgie, impressive winner of both her starts since joining Pipe from France, was, a 7 to, 4 chance for the two mile novice championship in Ladbrokes list yesterday.

However downbeat rumours concerning he well being have come from racing's bush telegraph all afternoon, prompting Coral, William Hill and Ladbrokes to suspend betting on the race.

And Pipe confirmed yesterday: "She worked this morning and did pull a little bit stiff out of her box, and we are reviewing the situation, it is as simple as that."

"We have got to wait and see how she gets on. We are never happy when things like this happen, but we will leave it until the day before the race before making a decision."

Explaining his firm's decision to suspend betting on the race, Ladbrokes' PRO Ian Wassell said yesterday: "There have been persistent rumours all day about Draborgie, and although we have no official confirmation, we have decided to suspend the book until tomorrow morning."

. Jason Titley is poised to claim the ride on Squire Silk in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham next Tuesday.

He has been lined up to take over from fellow Irishman Paul Carberry, who misses the mount because of suspension.

Titley schooled the Tote Gold Trophy winner for trainer Andy Turnell yesterday. Owner Robert Ogden said yesterday: "Jason will probably ride unless for some obscure reason something happened elsewhere.

"He rode a winner for me on Crown Equery, at Haydock and has a similar riding style to our own jockey.

. Ben Cecil, nephew of the well known Newmarket trainer, saddles his first runner today when Celtic Arms, the 1994 French Derby winner, contests the Grade Two Pan American Handicap, (12f) at Gulfstream Park. Cecil has taken charge of the training operation of the late Rodney Rash in tragic circumstances following the 36 year old Californian handle's untimely death last week.