Friend likely to miss Cheltenham

Paul Nicholls has reiterated that Lexus Chase winner What A Friend is only likely to run in the Cheltenham Gold Cup if something untoward happens to stablemates Kauto Star and Denman.

Owned by Ged Mason and Sir Alex Ferguson, the youngster is more likely to head to Aintree and Punchestown in the spring.

What A Friend was second to Denman, in receipt of 22lb, in the Hennessy Gold Cup on his only other start this season.

"I'll enter him in the Irish Hennessy but I suspect it will come a bit quick," said Nicholls.

"He's had two runs now and he'll probably melt a little bit, so my inclination is to leave him fresh and go straight to Aintree and then Punchestown in the spring.

"He'll have a Gold Cup entry, just in case anything happens, but if Denman and Kauto ran I suspect I'll have a chat with Ged and Sir Alex and we'll aim for Aintree.

"He's a little bit quirky and doesn't want to be in front too soon but he doesn't enjoy it when the ground is that soft.

"He'll be much better in the spring on some better ground.

"I don't mind it when they have a few little quirks as he's got a huge amount of ability, he's only six and to have won a Grade One already is a fair effort.

"There was nowhere to run him over here so I thought it was a good move and it worked out that way," he told At The Races.