Nil Desperandum doubtful for Cheltenham

HIGHLY-PROMISING Irish novice chaser Nil Desperandum is doubtful for the Cheltenham Festival after sustaining an injury whilst schooling on Wednesday.

The seven-year-old was a general 6-1 shot for the Royal & SunAlliance Chase on March 17 thanks to being successful in his first two races over fences.

Nil Desperandum scored on his jumping debut at Punchestown in mid-November before going on to take a Grade One contest at Fairyhouse by 14 lengths two weeks later.

He was set to defend his unbeaten record over fences in the Woodlands Park 100 Club Novice Chase at Naas on Saturday before taking in the Dr P J Moriarty Chase at Leopardstown next month.

“I’m afraid he incurred an injury when schooling yesterday. He’s definitely going to miss his next two races and Cheltenham is looking doubtful,” said trainer Frances Crowley yesterday.

“He just gave himself a slight overreach and chipped a little sliver of bone off his pastern in front.

“He’ll have to stand in for a while and we’ll have to play it by ear.”

Ms Crowley is not ruling out Cheltenham at this stage, but knows she would face a race against time and that the gelding would have to go to the Festival without a prep run.

“We’re not going to discount Cheltenham at the moment. It depends how quicly he recovers,” she added.

1 RACING Hasanpour

LEOPARDSTOWN NEXT FOR TRIUMPH HOPE HASANPOUR

By Martin Kelly, PA Sport

Meanwhile, exciting young hurdler Hasanpour will head to Leopardstown next month as he bids to stake his claim for the £100,000 JCB Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

The four-year-old scored by an impressive 10 lengths on his hurdling bow last weekend and trainer Charlie Swan reports his charge to be in top form.

“He has been very well since the weekend and I am very happy with him,” said Swan. “He ran well last Sunday but we didn’t find out a lot about him. He had to jump out and make it and we really wanted him to get a bit of experience, hoping they would go a gallop.

“His next run will tell us a lot but it is a bit hard to know exactly how good he is at the moment as he just went round on his own, but he is a lovely horse.”

The Dr Devious gelding was bought for £150,000 from Michael Stoute and boasts solid Flat form having finished four-lengths behind subsequent dual Group Three winner Leporello at Newmarket in July.

“I’m hoping he could be quite useful as he stays very well and has a good cruising speed,” Swan said.

“I’d say he doesn’t mind what type of ground he races on. He is very clear-winded and stays very well.

“He just needs a bit of practise now. He jumps very well at home but tended up jump a bit left at Cork.

“He is a lovely horse and is very easy to train. He is tough and straight forward and a very exciting horse to look forward with. I just hope I can keep him right now.”

Swan is now eyeing the Cashmans 4yo Hurdle on Hennessy day at Leopardstown next month for his rising star.

“He is going to go to Leopardstown on February 8 for a Grade Two, and then if I think he needs another run I might send him to Naas on the 21st,” he said.

“If he does things well at Leopardstown, though, he could go straight to Cheltenham.”

Hasanpour is a best-priced 16-1 with the big four bookmakers for the Triumph and his trainer is under no illusion as to what is needed for the big race.

“The Triumph can be a tough race but I have won it twice before and know what sort of horse you need,” he said.