Brook out of Festival

Ashley Brook will miss Wednesday’s Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival and might not run again this season.

Kevin Bishop’s eight-year-old was on course for the two-mile race after pleasing connections in a racecourse gallop at Exeter last week.

However, his knee problem has flared up again and Bishop is unwilling to risk his stable star in the Grade One event.

“He’s just not quite 100% and you really do have to be at your best to run at the Festival,” said Bishop.

“He’s been flexing it a bit and he didn’t feel quite right when we trotted him out.

“He’s slightly sore on one shin which could have something to do with it but until I can get the vet to check him properly, we won’t know for certain.”

Ashley Brook won the Grade One Maghull Novices’ Chase at Aintree last season and caught the eye when finishing second to Kauto Star in the William Hill - Tingle Creek Trophy at Sandown on his last start.

Knee problems have kept the gelding on the sidelines since and Bishop would not want to run him again this season unless he was totally satisfied.

“It would seem most likely we might finish him for the season but if the vet thinks we can get him to Aintree without a problem then we may try to go there,” he added.

“We thought he was right until the last few days but that’s racing and we still have the horse.”

Ashley Brook had been as low as 7-1 with Coral for the Champion Chase.