Lion Na Bearnai and connections© Photo Healy Racing
Tom Gibney is still planning to run Lion Na Bearnai in the Hennessy Gold Cup Chase - although the trainer would have preferred to have been able to give this year's Irish National winner a prep run in advance.
Former jockey Gibney runs a very small operation outside Kells in County Meath and saddled his 10-year-old to cause two huge upsets during last season.
After striking at 50-1 in the Ten Up Novice Chase at Navan, Lion Na Bearnai managed to reward his supporters at 33-1 in the Fairyhouse Easter marathon.
"We're looking to go to Newbury. I'd wanted to give him a run before, but it didn't work out," said Gibney.
"Everything didn't go to plan as we had a bug in the yard for a fortnight. I hope I've done plenty of work with him, but I'd be hopeful rather than confident."