Racing: Gold Cup gamble on Nick Dundee

NICK DUNDEE, the favourite for the Royal & SunAlliance Novices' Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, has been heavily backed for the Cheltenham Gold Cup, his alternative target. Norman Williamson, who rides the Edward O'Grady-trained Nick Dundee, said yesterday: "I have met Mr Magnier [the owner] and there will be no decision until later in the week."

The Tote have introduced Nick Dundee into their Gold Cup betting at 9- 1 and taken him out of their lists for the Royal & SunAlliance, leaving Spendid favourite at 5-1. Coral also report support for Nick Dundee, who was backed for the Gold Cup at 10-1 with a run.

Josr Algarhoud, winner of last year's Gimcrack Stakes for Mick Channon, will miss the 2,000 Guineas. The colt, around 20-1 for the Guineas, was not among the 89 entries yesterday for the season's first Classic on 1 May. Josr Algarhoud suffered a setback last month.

Lonesome Dude was among 12 withdrawals yesterday for the Lincoln Handicap at Doncaster on 27 March. No other principal fancies were taken out with 64 standing their ground. Captain Scott, among the second favourites for the race, runs at Wolverhampton on Saturday. Jimmy Fortune will ride the Jeremy Glover-trained five-year-old in the pounds 50,000 Lincoln Trial Handicap.

n Racing will go ahead on the first day of the new Millennium, 1 January, 2000. There will also be mandatory 48-hour declarations for all Group One races on the Flat starting in 2000.