Arkle hope Fundamentalist out for the season

Fundamentalist, a leading fancy for the Irish Independent Arkle Challenge Trophy Chase, has been ruled out for the season with a tendon injury.

The seven-year-old, who was a low as 6-1 with Coral for the Cheltenham Festival event, disappointed on his last start when he unseated jockey Carl Llewellyn in the “Dipper” Novices’ Chase at Prestbury Park.

Fundamentalist had previously notched up two impressive wins over fences and trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies had thought his poor run was due to sore shins.

However, a more serious tendon problem has been discovered and Fundamentalist is set to be off the track until next year.

“The prognosis is that he will not run again until this time next year. We will keep him here and treat him as necessary. He should come back just as good as ever. God only knows how good that will be, but I still see him as a Cheltenham Gold Cup horse,” said Twiston-Davies.

Fundamentalist won the Royal & SunAlliance Novices’ Hurdle at the Festival last year.