Backbord is set to run in the Pertemps Final rather than the Coral Cup at the Cheltenham Festival.

Trainer Lucy Wadham confirmed the three-mile contest was the preferred target rather than the Cup over two miles and five furlongs for her stable flag-bearer.

"He's absolutely fine and he's heading for the Pertemps," said Wadham.

Backbord is a winner over three miles but his last two recent successes have been over two and a half at Doncaster and at Ascot.

"We've been thrilled with him. We felt up until Ascot that two and a half miles was maybe a bit short of his best," the Newmarket-based handler continued.

"With the pace they go at Cheltenham, we think it's better that he goes for the three, so that's what we've decided.

"That's the plan at the moment and Dominic (Elsworth) rides."

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