Lame Coneygree unlikely to run in Friday's Albert Bartlett
Coneygree is lame and highly unlikely to take his chance in the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham on Friday.
Last Updated: 10/03/13 11:37am
The six-year-old, trained by Mark Bradstock, returned stiff after what had been a pleasing workout on Saturday.
The horse will be checked over on Monday and should the issue be found not to be serious, Coneygree will be re-routed to run at Aintree's Grand National meeting next month.
"He did the most fantastic, best-ever piece of work on Saturday. He came in a little bit stiff and last night he was lame behind," said Bradstock's wife and assistant, Sara.
"It will be investigated on Monday morning, but he's got a massive future.
"We are not going to take any risks, so it is extremely unlikely he will run (at Cheltenham).
"He is still a big weak horse and that is when they get these training injuries.
"Hopefully it's nothing serious and if it is just a muscle tweak he will probably go to that three-mile hurdle (Grade One John Smith's Sefton Novices' Hurdle) at Aintree."
Coneygree has looked a bright prospect, winning his first three races over hurdles before finishing third behind Festival hopes At Fishers Cross and The New One at Cheltenham in January.