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Gold Cup hopes still held for Zabana

The Andy Lynch-trained ZabanaThe Andy Lynch-trained Zabana
© Photo Healy Racing

Zabana is in the mix for the Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup at the Festival in March.

The eight-year-old beat Outlander to a Grade One prize at the Punchestown Festival and also struck at Gowran Park in November, but could only manage seventh in the Lexus Chase most recently.

Trainer Andrew Lynch will be hoping for better luck than at Cheltenham last year when he unseated Davy Russell at the start of the JLT Novices' Chase.

"Zabana is just ticking over at the moment and could run next in the Irish Gold Cup depending on the ground," said Lynch.

"He went a bit wide in the Lexus and I think he will get closer to them next time. That's what I am hoping.

"He is in the Gold Cup and also in the Ryanair. We will just see how things work out between now and then. I would have no problem going for the Gold Cup as he loves Cheltenham and the trip will be no problem.

"Thistlecrack looks the real one in the Gold Cup. He is improving but apart from him, it looks quite open."