Chief out for the season
Martin Pipe’s classy chaser Well Chief has been sidelined for the rest of the season due to injury.
The six-year-old, who was last seen registering a four-length victory over Azertyuiop in the Betfred Celebration Chase at Sandown in April, was found to have some heat in his leg and will play no part during the autumn and winter campaign.
“A scan has revealed a slight change from normal,” read a statement posted on Pipe’s website, www.martinpipe.co.uk
“Chiefy is not lame but he is far too good to risk and on veterinary advice, a long rest is to been taken.
“This news is very disappointing for his owner David Johnson and everybody at Pond House, but he is only six and he will be back next year as a seven-year-old.”
The 2005 Champion Chase runner-up has won eight of his 19 starts to date, including a one-length defeat of Kicking King in the Arkle at the Cheltenham Festival last year.
