Martin reveals Anibale Fly hope

Trainer Tony Martin remains hopeful that Anibale Fly will be able to run in next Sunday’s Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown.

The nine-year-old was an impressive performer last season, following up a third-place finish in the Cheltenham Gold Cup with fourth spot in the Grand National at Aintree.

However, conditions this season have restricted the JP McManus-owned gelding to just one appearance and that saw him secure an underwhelming sixth-place finish in last month’s Kerry Group Hilly Way Chase at Cork.

Martin has preferred to keep Anibale Fly in reserve until there is sufficient cut in the ground, but he is hopeful that a run at Leopardstown next week will be on the cards and is confident his horse will be able to deliver despite his recent lack of action.

“Hopefully he’ll get to Leopardstown,” said Martin. “We have been waiting on the ground and just didn’t want to chance him on it.

“We have got plenty of work into him and we are happy that way. We have brought him away a few times and we went to the beach as well. Once the ground is yielding he should be all right.”