GUTTED trainer Alan King has revealed his ‘superstar’ fan-favourite Cheltenham horse is set to miss a first Festival in six years.
Former Arkle winner Edwardstone has picked up a nasty infection and was rushed to the vet last Friday.
PAEdwardstone, who’s five-year running streak at Cheltenham Festival is set to come to an end, seen here winning the Arkle in 2022[/caption]
Antibiotics were not strong enough to treat the wound but with the help of professionals he looks to be on the mend.
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Unfortunately, though, it means all future running plans for the 11-year-old are on hold.
And punters will be robbed of the chance to see the star two-mile chaser – who is as short as 14-1 for the Grand Annual – at next month’s meeting.
Edwardstone’s setback means he will miss his first Cheltenham Festival since 2020, when he finished sixth to Shishkin in the Supreme.
Edwardstone was a five-length third in the County Hurdle the following year and won the 2022 Arkle under Tom Cannon.
It hasn’t been smooth sailing since then though, habitually getting outclassed by Jonbon in the top 2m chases – he has been beaten by him six times.
And on his past two trips to the Festival he was hammered 64 lengths by Energumene in the 2023 Champion Chase before falling in last year’s renewal.
King said in his Racing Post column: “My team for Cheltenham looks like being reduced by one as Edwardstone is doubtful for the Festival, where he held two entries in the Champion Chase and Grand Annual.
“He developed an infection in his near-hind leg and we couldn’t get on top of it with antibiotics so we took him to the vet for further treatment.
“The good news is he seems to be improving… but we’re not even thinking about future running plans at this stage.
“It would be a shame to go to Cheltenham without a horse who has run there in the last five seasons and gave us a tremendous day when winning the Arkle in impressive fashion in 2022.”
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