Ballyalton ruled out for the season
The seven-year-old won three of his five starts last year and finished off his season with a fine second behind Faugheen in the Neptune Investment Mangement Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.
Ballyalton had been viewed by many as a potential novice chasing star this term but his career is now on hold until the 2015/16 season.
The trainer told www.ianwilliamsracing.com: “Ballyalton will not run this season having not recovered sufficiently from an injury.
“Ballyalton had only a minor injury, incurred after his superb effort at the Festival and is recovering well, but with such a high-class horse, there is no point in taking risks and on the advice of (vet) Buffy Shirley-Beavan from Summerhill, we’ve all agreed to give him the season off.
“It’s very frustrating for everyone involved because he’s not lame and you wouldn’t even guess which limb has a problem.
“His form last season was outstanding, and he showed at the Festival what a high-class prospect he is.
“As things stand there is no reason why he should not come back as good as ever next season when he will go straight over fences.”
- Hurricane Fly could aim for a third successive victory in the StanJames.com Morgiana Hurdle as he features amongst 12 entries for the Punchestown Grade One on November 16.
The 10-year-old heads a formidable trio of entries from Willie Mullins, with crack novice Faugheen and high-class mare Annie Power still in contention.
Last season’s Champion Hurdle winner Jezki is also in the shake-up, while Triumph Hurdle hero Tiger Roll could take on his elders for the first time following his recent winning return to action at Cheltenham.
