Racing

Last Instalment gets green light for Gold Cup

Trainer happy with ground but First Lieutenant ‘off his feed’ and withdrawn from race

A horse and jockey make their way back from the gallops past bookies stands during Cheltenham Gold Cup Day. Photograph: David Davies/PA Wire
A horse and jockey make their way back from the gallops past bookies stands during Cheltenham Gold Cup Day. Photograph: David Davies/PA Wire
Fri Mar 14 2014 - 11:50

Last Instalment will take his chance in this afternoon's Cheltenham Gold Cup, but fellow Gigginstown House Stud-owned runner First Lieutenant has been ruled out.

Trainer Mouse Morris informed the British Horseracing Authority last year’s Ryanair Chase runner-up had not eaten up this morning and he will not be risked in the highlight of the final day of the Festival.

“First Lieutenant is off his feed,” said Gigginstown’s manager Eddie O’Leary.

“He hasn’t eaten up this morning and Mouse doesn’t want to take any chances.”

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Last Instalment, however, will run this afternoon after trainer Philip Fenton walked the course with O'Leary.

Connections are satisfied the ground is safe enough for the nine-year-old to take his chance in the blue riband of steeplechasing.

“We’ve walked the course. The ground is good to yielding and we’re happy to run,” said Fenton.

“The horse is in great form.”

Last Instalment’s participation had been in some doubt because of his history of leg problems.

He won the Hennessy Gold Cup at Leopardstown last month on only his second start since he returned from nearly two years on the sidelines.

The going at Cheltenham remains good, good to soft in places, with fog at the track expected to clear in time for racing.

Clerk of the course Simon Claisse said: “It is a thinner layer (of fog) today, although at 6am at ground level it was much denser than yesterday.

“I think the course is in great nick. We have opened up, on the inside of the chase course all the way around, another seven to 11 yards of ground which has not been run on since March of last year so that is in beautiful condition.

“The inner ground also had the bit of water we put on the course on Wednesday night so I am leaving the description as good, good to soft in places.

“It was never the intention to water last night. The purpose of watering on Wednesday night was to make sure we set up the ground just right for today.

“We have been delighted with the ground so far this week and the key thing about today is the Gold Cup is the first chase run on that lovely inner strip of fresh ground.”