Hill no obstacleto Man

Coome Hill is likely to duck a confrontation with One Man at Cheltenham on Saturday. His trainer, the permit-holder Walter Dennis, is concerned that a good performance from Coome Hill in the Pillar Chase will ruin his handicap mark and he is now contemplating a switch to Sandown's Agfa Diamond Chase the following weekend.

"If we were to run well against One Man he could end up with lumps more weight in the future and that probably isn't a good idea," Dennis said.

The prevailing ground conditions are also against the Hennessy Gold Cup winner tackling Saturday's contest. "There doesn't seem to be much rain about, so it looks like the ground wouldn't be suitable anyway," Dennis said.

With Coome Hill a probable absentee, One Man is unlikely to face a severe test on Saturday. But one interesting rival is Challenger Du Luc who, along with Glen Mirage, was put in the race when it was reopened yesterday. The Martin Pipe-trained horse is also second favourite for the Ladbroke Trophy Handicap Chase on the same card.