The Gigginstown House Stud operation are likely to fire at least two bullets at the Coral Punchestown Gold Cup next Wednesday, with Noel Meade's Road To Respect and the Henry de Bromhead-trained Balko Des Flos pencilled in to run.

However, Meade's Disko - who has not been seen since winning at Down Royal in November - has been ruled out.

The stud's supremo Michael O'Leary said: "Sadly Disko won't make it. There's nothing fundamentally wrong with him, he's just had a series of niggles all year long, so we'll pull stumps with him now and give him a good break."

The leading owner also confirmed Identity Thief will attempt to back up last Saturday's victory in the Ryanair Stayers Hurdle at Aintree in the Ladbrokes Champion Stayers Hurdle at Punchestown 12 days later.

O'Leary added that Apple's Jade is likely to defend her crown in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Annie Power Mares Champion Hurdle on Saturday week.