Hughes' Cheltenham option for Legend Sandra Hughes could send Lyreen Legend for next week's Caspian Caviar Gold Cup at Cheltenham following the release of the weights. Paddy Power winner Annacotty will have to defy a 5lb higher mark for Alan King, whose Hennessy hero Smad Place tops the weights but is a very unlikely runner. Wishfull Thinking is next best in the weights, although he also holds an entry in the Peterborough Chase this weekend, with Paul Nicholls' Sound Investment following him on the list. Lyreen Legend, who is currently on 10st 8lb, has Cheltenham form in the book having run a blinder in the Gold Cup when beaten less than seven lengths behind Lord Windermere in 2014 and recently made his comeback after a year off, finishing third behind Sir Des Champs at Thurles. "I was delighted with Lyreen Legend at Thurles," said Hughes. "There were very few suitable races for him this side of Christmas, so we were sort of forced into running there. Possibly the race for him is the Caspian Caviar at Cheltenham. We know he's classy - when he ran in the Gold Cup it looked to everyone like he just didn't quite get home. "So, two-mile-five up the hill at Cheltenham, which is basically like a three-mile chase on a flat track, should be ideal for him." Other Irish contenders at this stage include Valseur Lido, who is due to run in the John Durkan this weekend, Texas Jack, Gitane Du Berlais, Rubi Light and Mozoltov.
