Colonel waits for Naas Colonel Braxton has been forced to miss Sunday`s Dr PJ Moriarty Novice Chase but his trainer Dessie Hughes intends to give the SunAlliance hope a festival warm-up at Naas in 19 days` time.'I had been hoping to run in both races but we took his blood at the weekend and it wasn`t perfect. They never run at 100 per cent when their blood is like that, although he looks fine,' Hughes said yesterday.'We will just have to wait a week, take it again and see if he is all right. It shouldn`t be a big thing and there is a Grade Three at Naas on the 24th. That should be right, time-wise, for Cheltenham.'If he gets a run at Naas it should be enough, considering the way he ran and the way he jumped at Leopardstown in the Neville,' he added.In Colonel Braxton`s absence, the Moriarty focus will be on the Arkle Cup winner, Assessed, and the Denny runner-up, Youlneverwalkalone, both of which will be accompanied by stable companions in the race.Silver Steel is set to join Youlneverwalkalone while Assessed`s trainer Willie Mullins confirmed: 'Be My Royal will run alongside Assessed in the Moriarty.' Chepstow are to hold an inspection this afternoon to assess prospects for tomorrow`s meeting which is threatened by rain.
