Creek ruled out for another season

Frenchman’s Creek, a winner at the 2002 Cheltenham Festival, is unlikely to race this season after suffering further problems with a leg injury.

Hughie Morrison’s nine-year-old, who won the William Hill National Hunt Chase, has been on the sidelines since April last year with the problem and his trainer will not hurry him back into action.

“He could go back into training now if I wanted but he really needs a full year off to recover and make a proper comeback,” Morrison told the Racing Post.

“We’re trying to be laid-back about it, but it is very disappointing.”

Morrison also confirmed that 2002 Smurfit Champion Hurdle runner-up Marble Arch will be sent novice chasing this season.

The East Ilsley handler is targeting the Irish Independent Arkle Trophy Chase at Cheltenham in March with the seven-year-old.

He added: “There’s no point running him again on the Flat this season. He can’t get into races like the Ebor or the Northumberland Plate and he’s been given too much weight in lesser handicaps.

“We’ve started schooling him over show-jumps with a view to going chasing with him this season.”