Williamson is jocked off

Norman Williamson yesterday described his jocking off from the Gold Cup third favourite Looks Like Trouble as "a sickener".

The Lambourn-based rider had a winner on Change The Script at Fairyhouse and afterwards outlined the circumstances surrounding his shock removal from the Noel Chance-trained Pilar Chase winner.

"I got a call from the owner (Tim Collins) last night who said he had one line for me, that he wasn't happy with the ride I gave the horse in the King George," Williamson said.

"I said did he not think he would have a horse for the Gold Cup if I hadn't ridden him the way I did at Kempton. The horse was beaten at the fourth fence that day, I've won on him at Cheltenham since and I only hear this now," the jockey added before saying he is now on the lookout for a spare ride in the Gold Cup.

Yesterday's winner Change The Script doesn't fit that category but he, too, could be part of the Irish exodus to Cheltenham with trainer Paul Nolan, saddling his 13th winner of the season, pondering a tilt at the William Hill National Hunt Chase.

There were a number of other Festival clues on offer despite heavy overnight rain turning the ground officially "heavy".

That wasn't ideal for the Strong Gale horse Sheltering but he easily justified the odds under Philip Fenton in the hunters' chase and will next run in the Foxhunters.

"Philip said that was the worst ground he's ever ridden on at Fairyhouse but that was a beautiful school for Cheltenham, exactly what we wanted. Fingers crossed, the weather stays right for Cheltenham," said trainer Edward O'Grady.

Dessie Hughes is hoping the same for Rathbawn Prince who will go in the Arkle Trophy after breaking his chasing duck in the Beginners' Chase by a distance.

"We got the best of the ground by going out wide and if it dries up, he's entitled to go to Cheltenham, especially on the form with Frozen Groom who he gave 9lb to at Leopardstown," said Hughes who completed a double in the bumper with the newcomer Molly The Bogs.

The ground was also against the Grand National winner Bobbyjo who, nevertheless, ran a decent fourth to the favourite Kings Valley in the handicap hurdle.

"There was no point putting the gun to his head on the ground so I'm happy enough. We'll see about running in a chase next Sunday but his last race before Liverpool will be a handicap hurdle at Gowran on the 18th," said Bobbyjo's trainer Tommy Carberry.

Galeogan, another son of Strong Gale, overcame the conditions to land the £13,000 first prize in the Stallion Owners Handicap Series Final.