Aye Right team shun Ultima in favour of ambitious Cheltenham Gold Cup tilt

Harriet Graham is dreaming of defeating the might of the Irish and fellow British big guns at the Cheltenham Festival with Aye Right after she confirmed her stable star will miss the Ultima Handicap Chase and bid for Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup glory instead.

Graham, who holds a joint-licence with Gary Rutherford with 11 horses in training at their yard in Jedburgh, saddled Aye Right to finish third in the Ultima last year and he had been as short as 8-1 for that race again, but will instead take on the likes of A Plus Tard, Minella Indo and Al Boum Photo in the festival's pinnacle contest.

The nine-year-old finished third to Chantry House in the Cotswold Chase last time and is a general 66-1 shot to give both Graham and Rutherford a fairytale success, and defeat training giants such as Henry de Bromhead, Gordon Elliott and Nicky Henderson.

3.30 Cheltenham: Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup card and betting

"It's exciting times," said Graham. "We drove to Musselburgh on Wednesday with two horses rated 50lb worse than Aye Right, but that's the bread and butter of this game.

"We were teasing Gary at the yard this week that he's only just started training and already has an entry for the Gold Cup. We made sure to let him know it's all downhill from there onwards.

"I know on paper the Ultima looks easier, but even if Frodon was to run he'd be carrying a lot of weight regardless. The owners are keen to run in the Gold Cup and that's what we'll go for. We actually think the New course suits him a lot better."

The final touches will be put on Aye Right's Gold Cup preparation with a post-racing workout at Kelso on Saturday.

Graham is proud he will be part of Scotland's festival team, which also includes the top-class Ahoy Senor and Corach Rambler from Lucinda Russell's yard, to take on the Irish juggernaut and the best from Britain.

Aye Right (centre) was third in the Cotswold Chase last timeCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Graham added: "There's no reason that Scottish horses can't go south and take on the bigger boys with real chances. There's not as much money spent up here on horses and you get lucky if you get a good one, whereas Nicholls, Henderson and of course the Irish just have endless talented horses with loads of options.

"When you've got one precious horse you want to get to Cheltenham, it's a little bit more scary as you have no back-up plan. We'll keep him safe and sound as it's a bit tense with the race being two weeks away. Horses can be horses and they could get a poisoned foot at the wrong time."

Fry hopes Metier's Morebattle run can set up festival tilt

Harry Fry did entirely not rule out a tilt at the Champion Hurdle or the Cheltenham Festival for Metier should he pass his Morebattle Hurdle test at Kelso on Saturday.

Last year's Tolworth Hurdle winner returned to his best when winning the Sovereign Handicap Hurdle at Lingfield's inaugural Winter Million meeting in January and is the joint-favourite at 5-1 for the Borders track's feature race.

A £100,000 bonus is on offer if the winner follows up in any race at the festival – a feat The Shunter achieved last year – and Fry could be tempted to emulate him with a swift reappearance should all go to plan.

Metier: Grade 1 winner will tackle the Morebattle Hurdle on SaturdayCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

"We're a fair way off the Champion Hurdle. Never say never but we'll try to win Saturday's race before thinking about anything outrageous," Fry said.

"We're not going up there to make up the numbers. As you'd expect for a valuable prize, no one's going to give it to us and we've got to earn it, but we're confident he can do himself justice."

3.15 Kelso: bet365 Morebattle Hurdle card and betting

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