Injury blow to Lad

Limestone Lad, one of the most popular horses in training, faces an extended spell on the sidelines.

The 11-year-old Irish star has been suffering from a tendon injury, which he picked up sometime in April, according to Michael Bowe, son of trainer James.

He told the Racing Post: “A slight bit of heat and swelling appeared in his near-fore tendon coming up to the Punchestown Festival.

“I hadn’t got a scan done at that stage so I said nothing to anyone and it was only after Punchestown that I had the tendon scanned.

“The tendon doesn’t look bad and he will go on the walker this week when I get it scanned again.

“I don’t mind missing a season with him if I have to and I won’t bring him back unless I am satisfied he is 100%. If the scan is clear, he could be back after Christmas.”

The winner of 35 races, Limestone Lad has not been seen since his brave third behind Baracouda and Iris’s Gift in the Bonusprint Stayers’ Hurdle at Cheltenham in March.

But Bowe said: “There has been talk of retirement but he has never shown any signs of his age and he has had a marvellous rate of recovery with any injuries he has suffered in the past.”