Back In Front doubtful for Cheltenham

BACK IN FRONT’S bid for the Smurfit Champion Hurdle is “in the balance”, according to trainer Edward O’Grady.

The seven-year-old, brilliant winner of the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at last season’s Cheltenham Festival, is lame in his near fore.

“He worked on the racecourse on Wednesday and we were very pleased with him,” O’Grady said yesterday. “He was sound on Thursday but pulled out not 100% sound on Friday.