Nicky Henderson’s Punchestowns has suffered a setback in his preparation for the RSA Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. Last season’s World Hurdle runner-up is a leading contender for the Grade One contest but drifted in the market on Friday following various rumours about his participation.
Punchestowns (right)no longer RSA Chase Favourite
Nicky Henderson, speaking at Newbury on Friday, said: “We have a problem with Punchestowns on his near-fore.
“A similar thing happened last weekend and we had to take his shoe off, but it cleared up quickly and he spent a couple of days swimming, so didn’t really miss anything. He worked on Wednesday and I couldn’t have been more thrilled. The plan was to school him today, which we couldn’t do anyway due to the frost, as it was still minus 7C at 7am with us. We were then going to bring him to work here at Newbury on Sunday, but we found him to be lame on his foot again last night.
“We have X-rayed it and there is nothing there. I can’t say any more than that at the moment other than we will monitor it and let people know how he progresses.
“The last time it happened he was sound within 24 to 48 hours and he loved going swimming, but I did want to get another run into him and that hasn’t happened and now there is this, so I am just warning people.”
Henderson’s other RSA Chase candidate Long Run has taken over from his stable companion at the head of the betting with many bookmakers, and pleased Henderson in a recent schooling session.
“Long Run schooled in the indoor school with Yogi Breisner and all went well,” the Seven Barrows handler added.
RSA Chase best industry prices…
William Hill Reaction:
The news of Punchestowns lameness has prompted bookmakers William Hill to promote stablemate Long Run to their 5-2 favourite for RSA chase in 12 days’ time.
Nicky Henderson this afternoon revealed that the World Hurdle runner-up was found lame before a schooling session today, but has not yet ruled the seven-year-old out of the staying novices’ chase.
A strong wave of money for Long Run has seen his price begin to contract in recent years, and today alone Hills have slashed his price to 5-2 from 4-1. Punchestowns remains in the ante-post betting but has eased to 7-2 from 3-1, with Weird Al another clipped to 8-1 from 10-1.
Kate Miller, spokeswoman for William Hill, said: ‘’It has been a day of mixed fortunes for Seven Barrows but this latest announcement will assure that Long Run goes off favourite for the RSA. Punter enthusiasm for him has been building in the last few days, and this now clears the picture for many who viewed the race as a straightforward match.’’
RSA Chase: 5-2 Long Run, 7-2 Punchestowns, 8-1 Diamond Harry, Weird Al, 12-1 Weapon’s Amnesty, 16-1 Uimhiraceathair, 20-1 Bensalem, 25-1 Burton Port, Citizen Vic, The Nightingale, 40-1 Hey Big Spender, Knockara Beau, Little Josh, Shakervilz, 50-1 Apt Approach, China Rock, Clan Tara, Ogee, Petifour, Seven Is My Number, 66-1 Bar (EW ¼ 1,2,3)
