Cash set for crucial gallop

Edward O'Grady has revealed Cash And Go had excuses for his poor run at Leopardstown on his latest start and could still make the Cheltenham Festival if he pleases him in a racecourse gallop on Sunday.

The five-year-old was unbeaten on his first three starts over timber, culminating in a Grade One success in the paddypower.com Future Champions Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown on December 27th.

However, the Supreme Novices' Hurdle hopeful trailed in fifth of seven back at the Dublin track in the Deloitte Novice Hurdle on February 12th.

O'Grady told the Racing Post Weekender: "He scoped poorly after racing which was a relief in that it was an explanation for his run.

"He will work after racing on Sunday at Leopardstown and if he ticks all the boxes then he will go to Cheltenham for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle.

"I think he would be my best hope at the festival if he ran and is certainly better than his 33-1 price suggests."