Edwulf in good health

Trainer Joseph O’Brien insists Edwulf is in good health after running in Friday‘s Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup.

The nine-year-old has endured a tough year after collapsing in the closing stages of the JT McNamara National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham in 2017.

Edwulf made his return to action at Leopardstown in December, however, he was pulled up, and he looked in good form in February when he went on to win the Irish Gold Cup at the same venue.

He struggled to mount a serious challenge in Friday?s Gold Cup at Prestbury Park, coming eighth behind Native River, and O?Brien insists that he is in rude health.

O?Brien said: “He’s 100 per cent, he’s very good.

“He ran a good race. Things maybe didn’t fall exactly right for him, but other than that he was good.”

The County Kilkenny trainer admits that connections are yet to decide what comes next for Edwulf but claims they are pleased he came through the Festival unscathed.

He added: “No plans yet. It’s too early to say where we are going to go with him.

“He’s fine after the Gold Cup, and that’s the main thing.”