Hunter quits Cup but War goes on

War of Attrition will be the only one of the trio from a 2006 Irish clean sweep to run in next month's totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Trainer Mouse Morris revealed that the reigning champion was taken for a gallop away from his Co Tipperary stable yesterday as the build-up to defend his crown steps up.

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But there was disappointing Gold Cup news for fellow trainers Willie Mullins and Michael O'Brien.

Mullins has withdrawn last year's runner-up Hedgehunter in a bid to ensure the injury-troubled gelding makes the Grand National in April.

O'Brien, meanwhile, does not even intend running the 2006 third Forget The Past, who is heading for the Ryanair Chase, and has conceded that stablemate In Compliance (7-1) is looking a doubtful starter.

Mullins said: "We have decided to just take the precaution of skipping Cheltenham with Hedgehunter in the hope that he is 100 per cent for the National."

O'Brien was sounding even more pessimistic yesterday about In Compliance running in the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse on Saturday.

He said: "There doesn't seem to be any life in him. His blood checks out fine and he scopes clean but he is just not performing. If he doesn't come round, he won't be going anywhere."

Twenty nine possibles remain in the Gold Cup with Kauto Star the 7-4 favourite. That price is likely to drift on the day as bookmakers and betting exchange layers gamble that his jumping errors could undermine his superiority.

At 9-2, War of Attrition is the chaser that the bookies rate as Kauto Star's big danger. Like last year, he will line up at Cheltenham for his first run since being placed in the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas.

Morris said: "We took him away from home today. Conor (O'Dwyer) rode him and was very happy. It was the plan to follow the same route as last year. The ground is very heavy but it has not affected his training. You would hope it dries out but he'd have to go to Cheltenham whatever."