Grey Abbey primed for Cheltenham

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Grey Abbey is back on track for the Cheltenham Gold Cup less than two weeks after a serious training setback.

The 11-year-old "knocked a joint" and, as a result, had been in serious danger of missing the event in three weeks.

But part-owner Steve Roper allayed any fears ahead of the event, saying Grey Abbey, trained by Howard Johnson, would now "take all the beating".

"He is improving steadily and is on target again to run in the Gold Cup," Roper told the Racing Post.

"If we can get him there in the same condition as we had him for the Pillar Chase, he will take all the beating. We really fancy him."

Grey Abbey won the Pillar Property Chase at Cheltenham last month.

And Roper added: "He jumps and stays - which is what you've got to do to win the Gold Cup - and has won on good to firm and heavy, so the ground doesn't matter.

"We thought Cheltenham might not suit him, but that's clearly not the case."

Monkerhostin, 7-1 favourite for the Mildmay Of Flete Chase, will miss the Cheltenham Festival because of a virus.