Stomach problem for War

Mouse Morris believes War Of Attrition’s poor run at Punchestown on Sunday was down to a stomach upset.

Having won all his last three starts, including defeating Gold Cup winner Kicking King, the six-year-old was a very disappointing fifth in the John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase.

Originally a virus was thought to be the reason for his performance, as a couple of Morris’ other horses ran badly and several different Irish yards have been beset by illness this season.

However, Morris now thinks his horse could make a return to the track in the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown on December 27.

“Although I haven’t got all the results of the tests yet, we have established that it is not a virus but acid in their tummies,” the trainer told the Racing Post.

“It’s not much and a couple of easy days should put War Of Attrition and the others right. He could easily run over Christmas.”