Stage Star’s return to Cheltenham will be delayed until next month after connections decided against bidding for back-to-back wins in the Paddy Power Gold Cup this weekend.
Paul Nicholls’ eight-year-old is a three-time winner at Prestbury Park over fences, taking the Turners Novices’ Chase at the Festival in 2023 before returning later that year to lump near top-weight to victory in last year’s renewal of Saturday’s November feature.
Stage Star blew away the cobwebs when fourth in the Old Roan Chase at Aintree last month, but although his trainer’s Ditcheat string has begun to hit top form, the gelding’s team are happy to forego the chance to repeat last year’s Paddy Power Gold Cup heroics.
Instead, the Owners Group-owned chaser is being lined up to contest the December Gold Cup that takes centre stage at Cheltenham next month – a race Nicholls has won a record five times and came within a short-head of claiming again with Il Ridoto 12 months ago.
“I think he will go back to Cheltenham for the December Gold Cup instead (of the Paddy Power),” said Dan Downie of the Owners Group.
“He’s all fine and flying since Aintree and you’d hope he will come on for that run as well.”
More from Sporting Life
Safer gambling
We are committed in our support of safer gambling. Recommended bets are advised to over-18s and we strongly encourage readers to wager only what they can afford to lose.
If you are concerned about your gambling, please call the National Gambling Helpline / GamCare on 0808 8020 133.
Further support and information can be found at begambleaware.org and gamblingtherapy.org.
Fast Results
Scores
