Empresario unlikely to make Cheltenham cut

Matthew Smith admits that Empresario will struggle to get a run at the Cheltenham Festival later this month.

The seven-year-old is entered for both the Close Brothers Novices' Handicap Chase and the Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase but has lately been plying his trade on the Dundalk all-weather, winning two of three starts.

He was a winner over fences at the Galway Festival last July and while his rating of 128 is respectable, Smith knows his charge is unlikely to make the Cheltenham cut.

He said: "The chances of getting into either race now are probably slim. There are plenty of horses rated above him in the novice handicap but if he gets in he'll go. I don't think he'll get into the Grand Annual.

"He is good form and won a couple in Dundalk before Christmas. I think he'll be able for the challenge."