Le Coudray Entered In Cheltenham Gold Cup Le Coudray could join fellow star Irish novice Beef Or Salmon in the Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup. The former top-class staying hurdler has been given an entry for the race along with his owner JP McManus' First Gold, who is under a cloud following a disappointing effort at Leopardstown last Saturday. Le Coudray was made 10-1 third favourite for the Royal & SunAlliance Chase with Coral and William Hill after landing his third straight win in the Grade 1 Denny Gold Medal Novices' Chase on the same course on Boxing Day. However, McManus' racing manager Frank Berry revealed: 'He has been entered in the Gold Cup. It is only an entry, it is a long way away and he will go down the novice route for the moment, but it gives us an option. 'He has come out of his last race well and we are looking forward to either the Arkle or the Moriarty Novice Chases back at Leopardstown. We will see how he comes out of that after he has got a bit more experience.' Plans are on hold for FirstGold, who missed last year's Gold Cup through injury, after he trailed in last of nine behind Beef Or Salmon in the Ericsson Chase. 'First Gold scoped dirty after the race,' Berry said. 'He will have an easy week or two and then we will see how he is in a fortnight before making plans.'
