Morris Aiming War At Nicholson

Mouse Morris is favouring a tilt at the James Nicholson Wine Merchant Champion Chase at Down Royal on Saturday with his rising star War Of Attrition.

The progressive six-year-old is also entered in the Killultagh Properties Ltd Chase over two and a half miles on the same card.

When asked if there had a been a decision on War Of Attrition´s target at the weekend, Morris said: 'Not at the minute but I´d be favouring the three-miler although he wouldn´t run if it was heavy ground. I wouldn´t mind soft ground but not heavy.

'The three-miler might be a good race to find out if he´d stay. I don´t see why he shouldn´t stay but you still have to find out.

'The way he relaxed the other day in Punchestown it looked like he would get three miles.'

Devon trainer Victor Dartnall has ruled Lord Sam out of the race.

'He doesn´t run at Down Royal. He goes to Cheltenham for the Paddy Power, that´s the plan at the moment,' the Barnstaple-based handler said.

'One would hope he is (back to his best). We shall see at Cheltenham.

'He´s only nine and he hasn´t had a lot of racing. It would be nice to get him on track again.'

Beef Or Salmon will 'most likely' try and win the James Nicholson for the second year running.

Michael Hourigan´s charge beat Kicking King 12 months ago but has not raced since being pulled up in the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup.

(C) PA Sport