Creek blow for Pipe

Over The Creek has been ruled out for the rest of the season after meeting with a setback.

Martin Pipe’s six-year-old was last seen finishing runner-up behind Moulin Riche in the Brit Insurance Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival and was considered as a bright novice-chasing prospect this term.

His debut over fences must now be put on ice, however, after connections made the decision to take the David Johnson-owned gelding out of training for the remainder of the campaign on Wednesday morning.

“He has a small niggling problem which means that he needs to rest for the current season,” explained a statement posted on www.martinpipe.com.

“He should be fit and well to return to racing next season.”

The David Johnson-owned gelding, who was as short as 6-1 with William Hill to win the Royal & SunAlliance Chase at Cheltenham next year, joins long-term casualty Well Chief on the sidelines at Pond House.

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 is also expected to miss the rest of the campaign.