Road To Riches© Photo Healy Racing
Noel Meade is keen on another crack at the Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup with Road To Riches.
The 10-year-old was third in the blue riband two years ago and filled the same position in the Ryanair Chase last March. was well beaten in Sunday's Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown.
His trainer said: "The fall he had at Punchestown last year injured his back and he eventually required an operation.
"His run at Christmas was OK and I expected him to improve from that.
"He had a little hiccup before the race yesterday and we just didn't get a clear run. He ran OK to a point, but got very tired in the straight.
"If he's well he goes to Cheltenham. I think he'll go for the Gold Cup.
"He's also entered in the English National, so that could be an option. It will be interesting to see what weight he gets for Aintree."
Discussing some of his other Festival plans, Meade continued: "A Genie In Abottle runs in the four-mile race (National Hunt Chase) and Jamie Codd has agreed to ride him.
"He was beaten by Tony Martin's horse (Anibale Fly) in Naas the last day, but he's a Grade One performer and there was no disgrace in that.
"He stays very well and his jumping has been very good up to this point.
"Snow Falcon goes for the Stayers' Hurdle. He was going really well when he came down at the third-last in Newbury behind Unowhatimeanharry. It was still a fair way out and then he got beaten by Willie's (Mullins) mare (Vroum Vroum Mag) at Christmas.
"English racing suits him as they go a fast pace and I'm hoping he'll run well.
"Ice Cold Soul could go for either the County Hurdle or the Coral Cup. There's a bonus involved if he goes for the Coral Cup after he won the Coral Hurdle in Leopardstown the last day, so that may influence the decision."
