Harchi misses Newcastle test

Harchibald will not run in Saturday’s wbx.com “Fighting Fifth” Hurdle at Newcastle after sustaining a slight injury at home.

Despite pleasing connections in a piece of work yesterday, the winner of the 2004 renewal was found to be slightly lame last night.

Subsequent tests suggest there is no serious damage but the problem is sufficient enough to prevent his participation in the two-mile Grade One test.

“He worked yesterday morning and were absolutely delighted with him but last evening he was very slightly lame on his near hind,” handler Noel Meade told At The Races.

“It’s nothing to do with the injury he got last year and it appears to be up high.

“He’s better this morning and he’s walking sound but at the top he is just feeling something. He’s just twinged a muscle or something in his quarters.”