Joncol to bypass Cheltenham

Joncol will miss the Cheltenham Festival in favour of a tilt at Guinness Gold Cup at Punchestown.

The seven-year-old had been 5-1 second favourite for the Ryanair Chase with some bookmakers following his victory in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Leopardstown 10 days ago. But after edging out Cooldine in a stirring finish, trainer Paul Nolan feels Cheltenham will come too quickly and he omitted Joncol at today's forfeit stage.

Nolan said: "We have decided we are not going to Cheltenham and the horse will go to Punchestown, providing that the ground is safe at that time.

"The decision was made before the Hennessy that if he won, we wouldn't go to Cheltenham and we'll wait and give it another year before we go. We're better off sticking with the plan. He's learning to race and Cheltenham is too soon. We'll give him more experience for Cheltenham next year. Hopefully it will be the Gold Cup if the horse stays sound."

Paddy Power offer Joncol at 16-1 for the 2011 Gold Cup and make the Paul Nicholls-trained Poquelin their 4-1 favourite for the Ryanair Chase.

Nolan also revealed he is unlikely to give Shinrock Paddy another outing before Cheltenham.

Shinrock Paddy is 6-1 second favourite with Paddy Power for the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle.

Nolan said: "He will more than likely go straight to Cheltenham. I am 80 per cent sure he will run in the Albert Bartlett - if not, then the Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle."