Tataniano: still has an entry in the Grand Annual Chase on the final day

  PICTURE: Edward Whitaker/racingpostpix.com 

Tataniano taken out of Arkle reckoning

TATANIANO was the most notable absentee from Wednesday's acceptors for the Irish Independent Arkle Trophy Chase at Cheltenham on Tuesday.

Andy Stewart's Paul Nicholls-trained chaser, who had been a best-priced 16-1 for the 2m novices' championship, is now set to take his chance in the Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase and Blue Square on Wednesday cut Tataniano to 7-1 (from 10-1) for the Festival's final race on Friday.

The 17 horses to stand their ground were headed by market leaders Captain Cee Bee, Somersby, Sizing Europe and Riverside Theatre.

Henrietta Knight, who trains Britain's chief contender Somersby, said: "He's very well. He missed his intended prep at Hereford when the meeting was called off on the morning of the race, but that wasn't a serious setback."

Nicholls has left in Woolcombe Folly, while Willie Mullins has a trio of possibles - Sports Line, Shakervilz and Quiscover Fontaine.

As expected, Long Run, who tops the betting for the RSA Chase, was taken out of the Arkle, with connections favouring the longer trip for the exciting novice chaser.

BUY NOW: Racing Post's Cheltenham Festival Guide 2010 - 192 pages packed with expert advice and race-by-race guides

BUY NOW: The Update's Cheltenham 2010: the ultimate guide - a 96-page paper packed with Racing Post form, essential stats and top-class insight from an outstanding stable of experts