Goshen and The Big Breakaway to go straight to Cheltenham due to weather worries

Goshen and The Big Breakaway will head straight to next month's Cheltenham Festival without another run after connections opted to bypass weekend targets due to weather and ground concerns.

Goshen, the joint-favourite for next month's JCB Triumph Hurdle, has not been declared to run in the Unibet Victor Ludorum Juvenile Hurdle (2.40) at Haydock.

The Gary Moore-trained four-year-old has won his last six races, including all three starts over hurdles, and is a general 4-1 for the Triumph at the Cheltenham Festival on March 13. Goshen has won his three hurdle races at Fontwell, Sandown and Ascot by an aggregate of 68 lengths.

He had been expected to run at Haydock but was not among the seven declared for the Victor Ludorum. Grade 2 winner Navajo Pass was also not declared for the same race.

Moore said: "Everything's fine with him but we didn't want to take a chance with the weather and potentially taking him all the way up to Haydock only for the meeting to be called off.

"I didn't fancy running him, so he'll go straight to Cheltenham now."

The Big Breakaway: on his way to a seven-length win at Newbury in DecemberCredit: Edward Whitaker

Exciting novice hurdler The Big Breakaway had entries at Ascot and Haydock but has not been declared at either course. He is a general 8-1 for the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle and as big as 14-1 for the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle.

Joe Tizzard, son and assistant to trainer Colin Tizzard, said: "The Big Breakaway is not running as we do not want to to bottom him out on the prevailing heavy ground. He is a relatively young horse and does not need to run at this moment.

"He worked well at home the other day and will now go straight to Cheltenham."

Marsh Hurdle winner The Worlds End will face five in the Grade 2 Unibet Rendlesham Hurdle (2.05) including Emitom and West Approach, although L'Ami Serge, who finished second to The Worlds End at Ascot, has not been declared.

Storm Dennis threatens Ascot's fixture on Saturday, with an 8am inspection planned because of the strong winds forecast.

Six runners have been declared for the Grade 2 Sodexo Reynoldstown Novices' Chase (1.50) if the meeting does go ahead at the Berkshire course.

The exciting Sam Brown is among the group, while Danny Whizzbang, Two For Gold, Pym, Copperhead and Alsa Mix complete a competitive field.

Wincanton's card also has to survive a Saturday morning inspection but the Grade 2 Betway Kingwell Hurdle (2.45) has attracted six runners, although ante-post favourite Fusil Raffles has not been declared.

Elgin, winner of the race in 2018, will make his return against last year's County Hurdle winner Ch'tibello, Quel Destin, Calgary Tiger, Song For Someone and Zambella.

Saturday's cards

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