Cheltenham Festival in doubt for Sir Gerhard after injury setback as Cheveley Park suffers another blow | race news
Cheltenham Festival in doubt for Sir Gerhard after injury setback as Cheveley Park suffers another blow | race news
#Cheltenham #Festival #doubt #Sir #Gerhard #injury #setback #Cheveley #Park #suffers #blow #race #news Welcome to InNewCL, here is the new story we have for you today:
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High-profile Sir Gerhard’s season opener has been further delayed after injury.
The 2021 Champion Bumper winner was one of the star performers in the Novice Hurdles division last season, winning a Grade One at Dublin Racing Festival and Ballymore in Cheltenham in March.
He was entered for the Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown last month but did not take his chance and links have since confirmed their intention to pursue a career over fences.
However, Sir Gerhard has no commitments during the festive period and Richard Thompson, director of ownership at Cheveley Park Stud, is at this point unsure when he will return.
He said: “Unfortunately, Sir Gerhard is injured. He’ll be out for a few weeks.
“That (pursuit) is still the idea but he won’t run over the Christmas period. Whether he’ll be back for Cheltenham who knows? It’s disappointing.”
The Cheveley Park team have enjoyed great success since increasing their interest in National Hunt racing in recent years, including Gold Cup hero A Plus Tard and two-time Ryanair Chase winner Allaho, who sport the famous colors of red, White and blue wore to the glory of the festival.
Image: Allaho will miss the King George at Kempton on Boxing Day after suffering a setback
So far this season, things have not been going too well for the team, Sir Gerhard is the latest star to join a side list that also includes Allaho and Ferny Hollow.
Thompson added: “Ferny Hollow is obviously out for the season and as we know Allaho was out for six weeks. He should be back in training soon and hopefully he will be fine.
“Last season was absolutely fantastic, winning nine Grade Ones with three Cheltenham winners including the Gold Cup with A Plus Tard.
“I think we would always hit a bump. We’ve already won a Grade One this season with Envoi Allen and if we could win a few more Grade Ones that would be fantastic – but like I’ve always said, everything’s a bonus.
“It’s been a fantastic run for us and we have to expect some injuries in the race game and especially at National Hunt. That’s how it works.”
