Irish Hennessy winner Joncol has been pulled out of the Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham festival and will now instead be aimed at the Guinness Gold Cup in April.
Connections have decided not to rush the impressive six-year-old after his narrow success when beating Cooldine at Leopardstown despite being strongly fancied by many ante –post punters to land the valuable Grade 1 event.
Nolan said: "We have decided that we are not going to Cheltenham and the horse will hopefully now go to Punchestown providing that the ground is safe at that time.
"The decision was made before the Hennessy that if he won, we wouldn't go to Cheltenham and we'll wait and give it another year before we go there.
"We're better off sticking with the plan and that's the reason we're missing Cheltenham. He's really learning to race now and Cheltenham is a bit too soon" added the County Wexford handler.
Also dropping out at the latest forfeit stage is last year’s winner Imperial Commander who will be one of the nineteen lining up for the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup. However, former Cheltenham festival winner Voy Por Ustedes will be taking his part in the Ryanair Chase despite having yet to recapture any form so far this season.
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**Ryanair Chase
7-2 Poquelin, 5-1 Barbers Shop, 6-1 Tranquil Sea, 10-1 Planet Of Sound, Schindlers Hunt, 16-1 Albertas Run, Deep Purple, Voy Por Ustedes, 20-1 Barker, Chapoturgeon, Golden Silver, Petit Robin, Scotsirish, 25-1 Bar
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