2016 Cheltenham Festival news: Pendleton confirmed as Pacha’s partner

Joseph O’Brien, son of the JP Mcmanus owned gelding’s trainer Aidan, broke the news on Twitter early this afternoon.

He tweeted: “I spoke with JP [McManus] and Frank [Berry] this morning, Aspen Colorado will not go to Cheltenham and the plan is to go to Limerick on April 3rd.”

Aspen Colorado had been at the head of the betting since making a winning debut at Leopardstown in January.

The four-year-old followed up with a workmanlike victory at the same venue last month, and clearly didn’t show enough to persuade connections to let him take his chance at the Festival on Wednesday, March 16th.

Ballyandy is now the 6/1 favourite with Coral for the Champion Bumper, with the Willie Mullins trained mare Augusta Kate next best in at 7/1.

Meade wants Gold for Road To Riches

Irish trainer Noel Meade is adamant Road To Riches should run in the Cheltenham Gold Cup on Friday week, for which he is currently 16/1 with Coral.

Third in the race last season behind Coneygree and Djakadam, the nine-year-old also holds an entry in the Ryanair Chase over the shorter trip of 2m 5f.

County Meath based Meade is convinced the Ryanair will not be sufficient a stamina test for Road To Riches, but is dependant upon owners Gigginstown House Stud making a final decision.

Gigginstown are also responsible for leading Gold Cup contenders Don Poli, Don Cossack and Valseur Lido, and they would appear to have stronger credentials than Road To Riches.

Meade said: “I would hope he goes for the Gold Cup, but we’re going to have to see what way they call it. I honestly don’t think the Ryanair will suit him – I think it’s too short.

“He got the Gold Cup trip very well last year. As Coneygree isn’t in it, I imagine he’d have every chance of beating the second.”

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