Wait goes on: Gold Cup favourite Presenting Percy sidesteps Savills Chase

The wait to see the favourite for next year's Magners Cheltenham Gold Cup rumbles on after Presenting Percy did not feature in the final field for Friday's Grade 1 Savills Chase at Leopardstown.

Trained by Pat Kelly for Philip Reynolds, Presenting Percy has not raced since romping to victory in the RSA Chase in March, but was cut to a general 4-1 favourite (from 5) for the Cheltenham Gold Cup following Clan Des Obeaux's success in the King George VI Chase on Wednesday.

Kelly had expressed concerns about the Leopardstown ground on Sunday, stating: "The ground on the chase course is being described as good, yielding in places, and we'd like to see it slower than that."

The ground was described as good on Thursday on the chase course.

The 12 runners for the Savills Chase are headed by Road To Respect, who captured the race last year for Noel Meade, Sean Flanagan and Gigginstown House Stud.

Michael O'Leary's ownership vehicle has five runners in total in the Grade 1 with Shattered Love, Balko Des Flos, Outlander and Disko also featuring.

The field is completed by Bellshill, Anibale Fly, Coney Island, Edwulf, Kemboy and The Storyteller.

Apple's Jade: was brilliant in the Hatton's Grade HurdleCredit: Alan Crowhurst

O'Leary's star mare Apple's Jade will have to defeat two former winners of the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham if she is to capture the Grade 1 Squared Financial Christmas Hurdle on Friday.

A brilliant winner of the Hatton's Grade Hurdle last time out, Apple's Jade faces Faugheen and Jezki at Leopardstown. Bapaume, Cracking Smart, Early Doors and Shaneshill complete the runners.

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