Pipe still has strong hand in father's race

Poole Master is a notable absentee from the six-day entries for the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham on Friday.

David Pipe's charge seemed unlikely to get into the race but stays in the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle on the same card.

The Pond House trainer, desperate to win the race named after his father, still has a potentially strong hand with I'msingingtheblues, I'm So Lucky, Consigliere, Arab League, Dan Breen, Matuhi and Street Entertainer among those towards the top of the weights.

Ted Spread, a leading fancy for the Imperial Cup, is still engaged while Bourne and Decoy have been well backed in the ante-post markets.