EMPIRE Of Dirt looks set to stick to the Grade 1 Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham on Thursday despite the defection of Don Poli from the Gold Cup.

Third last year, Don Poli has picked up an injury that means he misses the big meeting and in the wake of that trainer Gordon Elliott said he would discuss running plans with Michael and Eddie O'Leary of Gigginstown House Stud. But speaking on At The Races, Eddie O'Leary said of the Irish Gold Cup runner-up: "I'd say we will probably go to the Ryanair with Empire Of Dirt, all going well. He has a good chance. He'll probably get taken off his legs for the first mile, but hopefully he'll get back into it after that."

He added of Don Poli: "He has a leg, and when you have a leg you have a leg. So we'll treat it up and hopefully have him back at some stage."

Lexus Chase winner Outlander is likely to be Gigginstown's only runner in the Gold Cup, a race they won 12 months ago with Don Cossack and in 2006 with War Of Attrition. But O'Leary is not banking on him giving the operation a third success in the blue riband.

He said: "We've won it twice, but you can safely rule that out. If I could back any I'd back Djakadam (second the last two years), I think he is the moral winner. He's fresh this year, he's matured and I think he is an outstanding bet."

OUT OF THE FESTIVAL

Movewiththetimes became the latest Cheltenham Festival casualty after being ruled out of Tuesday's Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle through injury.

The Paul Nicholls-trained six-year-old emerged as a serious contender for the Festival curtain-raiser when narrowly beaten by Ballyandy in last month's Betfair Hurdle at Newbury. He was a best priced 6/1 for the Supreme, but will not line up after suffering a setback.

Nicholls told Betfair: " Movewiththetimes was a little bit sore behind after a routine canter this morning and it looks like he has pulled a muscle behind.

"I'm gutted that he will not be able to go to Cheltenham as he was one of my best chances of the week. As it doesn't look too serious we will try to have him ready for Aintree or maybe Punchestown."

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