Mann undecided on Air Force plans

Charlie Mann has yet to decide whether to commit Air Force One to the rearranged Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Leopardstown next Sunday.

The seven-year-old, runner-up to Denman's conqueror Madison Du Berlais in the 'Hennessy' at Newbury earlier this season, would have taken his chance today had the meeting not been abandoned.

'Madison Du Berlais was getting 3lb from us when he beat us in the Hennessy, so he gave us a boost, definitely,' said Mann.

The Upper Lambourn trainer reports Air Force One, fifth to Kauto Star in the King George VI Chase on his only start since, to be in fine form. However, he is concerned the Irish Hennessy might now be too close for comfort to the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup.

'I've got to talk to the owner (Brian Walsh) but the horse is in very good form, and I'd rather like to keep it like that,' added Mann.

'It will be less than four weeks before the Gold Cup so I'll have to see what Brian says. The Hennessy is going to cut up, it just depends.'

'In an ideal world he'd probably go straight for the Gold Cup, but he might have to run next Sunday. The Racing Post Chase (at Kempton on February 21) is definitely out - that was just another option.

Air Force One is 40-1 with the sponsors for the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup on March 13.