Luska to swerve Cheltenham

Luska Lad has been ruled out of the Cheltenham Festival despite his impressive triumph at Gowran on Saturday.

John Hanlon's chestnut made all the running in the Red Mills Trial Hurdle to secure consecutive victories in Grade Two races, having won the Moscow Flyer Novice Hurdle in similarly taking style at Punchestown in January.

The six-year-old will not be heading to Prestbury Park, however, with Hanlon instead eyeing an assault on big spring targets at home.

"It was a super performance in a very good race," reflected the County Carlow handler.

"I'm not going to Cheltenham, though, because he's a lot better going right-handed. I'd love to go to Cheltenham, but he's never won going left-handed, so that's made my mind up.

"There are two valuable novice races at Punchestown and Fairyhouse, so we'll go there instead.

"He'll be a better horse on better ground and will have no trouble jumping a fence in future."