Tartak will head to Festival

Tom George has confirmed that he still intends to run Tartak at the Cheltenham Festival next month despite disappointing when only fifth to Riverside Theatre in the Betfair Ascot Chase.

George said: "I just can't work it out. He just didn't seem to fire. Paddy (Brennan) said he didn't act round Ascot. He seems fine and he's back in full work. He'll go to Cheltenham one way or the other, but I don't know what race yet."

Tartak had been in fine form before Ascot, winning the rearranged Peterborough Chase at Newbury and a handicap chase at Cheltenham.

The eight-year-old holds entries in the Ryanair Chase and the Byrne Group Plate at the big meeting.