Sweeney to skip Cheltenham for Fairyhouse

Sweeney Tunes is set to bypass Cheltenham and wait for the big Fairyhouse meeting over Easter following his Grade 2 success at Naas on Sunday.

Though Sweeney Tunes is entered in six races at Britain's premier jumps fixture in two weeks' time his trainer Paul Nolan prefers to wait two more weeks for Fairyhouse.

The Powers Gold Cup on March 31st and the Ladbrokes Irish Grand National on April 1st are the two races Nolan has in mind for the seven-year-old after his win in the Woodlands Park 100 Club Nas Na Riogh Novice Chase.

"He's come out of it very well. We were very pleased to win a Grade 2 with a 137-rated horse," said Nolan.

"We ran him there instead of Cheltenham. We were going to go for one of the handicaps there, but thankfully we've picked up a Grade 2 which is compensation for not having the trip over there.

"We'll take a look at Fairyhouse with him now. He'll have a couple of options there, the Powers Gold Cup and the Irish National.

"I suppose there won't be as many horses taking him on with the horses that are going for the novice handicap, the RSA and the Arkle over there.

"Hopefully, he'd have a good chance against the ones who are staying at home."