Kabral Du Mathan taken out of Saturday engagement due to ground conditions The threat of non-runners looms large over the remainder of the Paddy Power Gold Cup meeting at Cheltenham due to ground conditions at Prestbury Park. Friday’s feature Shloer Chase was reduced to just three runners after Harry Fry decided not to risk Gidleigh Park, and Saturday’s Paddy Power Arkle Challenge Trophy Trial Novices’ Chase has already taken a big hit. That race was due to see a fascinating clash between Dan Skelton’s Kabral Du Mathan and Nicky Henderson’s Old Park Star, two of the brightest prospects in the UK this season. However, a combination of the very dry summer and autumn and a very cold night saw the ground dry out to good after the second race on the opening afternoon, and with another freezing, dry night forecast, Skelton was not prepared to take the risk with one of his stable stars, with Madara in the feature also taken out. Skelton Pulls Four Cheltenham Runners He said: “Kabral, Madara, the runner in the first (Top Guy) and the one in the bumper (Northern Singer) will all be out. “It was an easy, straightforward decision to make and Harry (Skelton) came in after riding in the chase and said it’s quick. That’s it, end of story, we want to run, but not on that. “It’s probably quicker than everyone anticipated, but I don’t hold anyone at fault for that. There’s nothing more anyone could have done and it’s frustrating because we want to run. “I don’t hold anyone to account for that because at the end of the day our understanding, and the feedback we have had, is that as much water has gone on as is possible.” He added: “I think I could just leave Kabral now, he’s had his run and he could just go straight to the Henry VIII (at Sandown). “I think I was clear with Madara from the start and he was always going to be the borderline one. It wasn’t a difficult decision for me to make. It’s just one of those things and there’s not a lot we can do about it.” Henderson Weighs Up Arkle Trial Dilemma Nicky Henderson has shunned a Champion Hurdle campaign with Old Park Star, who he believes has all the attributes to make it to the top over fences. But with the ground quickening all the time the Seven Barrows trainer will have a decision to make. Henderson said: “It’s good ground and we’ll just have to see what happens in the morning and see, but there would be a worry. “The sad thing is they can’t water because of the threat of frost.” Sub-Zero Frost Threat Halts Overnight Watering Clerk of the course Jon Pullin, who oversaw the installation of a new drainage system in the home straight after the last three meetings were abandoned last season due to a hole appearing in January, also had to deal with horses slipping on the home bend on Friday and said no watering could be done overnight. He said: “The updated forecast is expecting temperatures down to minus 3C tonight which negates our ability to do any watering tonight for tomorrow. “We’re going to cover take-offs and landings as having raced today they are more susceptible to frost, but unfortunately we are not in any position to do any watering. That said we might be able to do something Saturday into Sunday. “It will be a shame if we have non-runners and no one will be more disappointed than the grounds team here who have worked tirelessly since the Showcase meeting in October to get as much water on as possible. But given circumstances it is probably inevitable we will see non-runners tomorrow.” Murphy Points To Superior Irish Watering Olly Murphy was among the winners with Thunder Rock on Friday and said: “I’ve had a winner so probably going to be a bit more positive than a few people will be, but I think one or two trainers may be rejigging running plans overnight given what the jockeys have been saying. “It’s a tricky one and I’m not pointing fingers at the team here, but I don’t understand how Ireland can produce slow, watered ground at Leopardstown and Punchestown yet over here we can’t seem to do it. “It’s annoying for us as trainers as we just want to run these horses and provide competitive racing, but then we’re the ones with phone calls to make the next day to owners to tell them they won’t see their horse for another year after one day of racing. “It’s frustrating and I feel for clerks of the courses, but I do feel there is a bit more that can be done.”
