Mohaison Team Issue Gold Warning

Connections of Star De Mohaison have stressed that it would not be the end of the world if he missed the Cheltenham Gold Cup this season.

The 2006 Royal & SunAlliance Chase winner has options in the Irish Hennessy and the Racing Post Chase before the Festival but his liking for good ground may limit his options.

The Sir Robert Ogden-owned seven-year-old has recently returned from a lengthy absence though and with Exotic Dancer running in the Ogden silks and likely to head for the blue riband, Cheltenham may be given a miss.

"At this moment in time I think it is unlikely he will be heading to Ireland because he does want good ground," said Barry Simpson, Ogden's racing manager.

"Paul (Nicholls) has talked about maybe going to the Gold Cup without another run but he is in the Racing Post Chase, that is the wrong way round for him though.

"We would have no problem running him and Exotic Dancer in the race but with the pair of them we are looking at a time factor and time is not on our side.

"If we want them both to run at Cheltenham we have to make a decision within the next couple of weeks if it is the right thing to run them, we don't want to leave Cheltenham behind anywhere.

"We have already made a decision that they won't run any later than February 23 (Racing Post Chase).

"The problem we have with Exotic Dancer is that he was good over hurdles so that is not an option for him.

"Racecourse gallops might be the order of the day for both of them especially with Star De Mohaison as Paul has gone very steady with him.

"We believe he is so much better on good ground but a lot of people are overlooking the fact that he has to improve 20lb on his novice form to be a serious Gold Cup contender.

"It may well be that we reach a point that we decide not to go down the Gold Cup route this year as he is still a young horse.

"He could be a future Gold Cup horse and to try and rush him would be the wrong thing to do. We may consider Aintree if he doesn't go to Cheltenham."

Star De Mohaison is a general 25-1 chance for the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

(C) PA Sport