Cough claims Lungo Cheltenham runners Len Lungo`s Cheltenham Festival team was further depleted today as the cough continues to affect his stable.He said: 'We had intended to have eight runners but that is now down to six, yesterday The Grey Dyer half coughed, he was in the four-miler (National Hunt Chase), while Earl Sigurd will be balloted out of the Triumph Hurdle.'So, fingers crossed, we are left with The Bajan Bandit (Royal & SunAlliance Novices` Hurdle), Direct Access (Royal & SunAlliance Chase), Freetown (Pertemps Final), Ebinzad (County Hurdle), Rose d`April (Weatherbys Champion Bumper) and Valigan (Kim Muir).'He went on: 'It is most frustrating, we are very high up with plenty of fresh air and we have been lucky and not had many problems like this in the past but unfortunately they picked it up at Newcastle five weeks ago.'Meanwhile Ferdy Murphy, who is enjoying his best-ever season, reported his Cheltenham raiding party in good form.The Middleham trainer worked his horses this morning and, speaking from Sedgefield today, said: 'We plan to have about 10 runners over the three days, they worked this morning and I was very happy with them.'When asked what ground he would like if he could pick what he wanted he added with a smile: 'I want it soft but when I said that in the car coming here today Adrian (Maguire) was squirming in the back because he wants it good for Florida Pearl in the Gold Cup on Thursday!'Murphy`s squad could include the likes of high-class novice chaser Truckers Tavern, who is an intended runner in the Irish Independent Arkle Challenge Trophy if the ground is suitable.
