Desperandum fine after Hennessy flop

Nil Desperandum was reported to be in good health despite his disappointing run in the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Newbury.

The seven-year-old was pulled up by jockey Mick Fitzgerald before the 15th fence in the Grade Three showpiece, which was won by favourite Celestial Gold.

An alarming market drifter beforehand, Nil Desperandum was tailed off before dropping out but trainer Frances Crowley said today: “He’s fine. He ate up last night and there doesn’t seem to be any problems with him.

“I basically think that they just went a bit too fast for him yesterday and he doesn’t like it when he’s taken off his feet.

“The vets checked him out after the race and they took a sample. But I don’t think there’s anything we need to worry about.”

Nil Desperandum is entered in the Stan James King George VI Chase at Kempton on St Stephen's Day but Miss Crowley added: “I will have to discuss where we go now with the owners.”

The Jockey Club may investigate Nil Desperandum’s run as the gelding was friendless on course and went from an opening 9-2 to an eventual starting price of 9-1.

The Newbury stewards asked Miss Crowley and Fitzgerald for explanations and the security department at Portman Square will be in touch with their betting industry contacts today.

“We will keep our options open. Full explanations were requested on the day and we have those. We will be speaking to our regular contacts in the both the exchange and bookmaking industries tomorrow,” said John Maxse, the Jockey Club’s director of public relations.

“We will then be able to evaluate whether there is any intelligence or evidence that merits further investigation.”