Pillar next for Abbey

Grey Abbey could bring the curtain down on his illustrious career at Cheltenham at the end of next month.

The bold-jumping grey has won six of his 10 starts since joining Howard Johnson’s County Durham yard for the 2003-2004 campaign, including the Scottish Grand National, Charlie Hall Chase, Pillar Property Chase and the Betfair Bowl.

However, the 11-year-old has failed to show his customary sparkle in two runs this season and has been pulled up on each occasion, most recently at Wetherby on Boxing Day.

“I’ve decided to keep him ticking over until the end of January,” Johnson said.

“If he has one more run and doesn’t run well he’s definitely retired.

“He’ll be entered for the Pillar and if he goes there and doesn’t run well he’ll definitely be retired.”