Moore hopes Sire can make Cheltenham

Gary Moore has refused to abandon hope of stable star Sire De Grugy making the Cheltenham Festival in March despite a scan revealing his stable star has a hip injury which means he will not run again this year.

The eight-year-old carried all before him last term, notching up four Grade One victories including the Tingle Creek and Queen Mother Champion Chases.

He had been due to return to action at Cheltenham last Sunday but was found to be lame behind following a routine piece of work just days before the Shloer Chase, prompting fears of a pelvic injury or a fracture.