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.