Carberry festival blow

Paul Carberry is to miss all four days of the Cheltenham Festival after failing to recover from a foot injury he suffered last weekend.

He had hoped to be given the all-clear to resume for next week’s showpiece meeting, but his boss Noel Meade has confirmed that he will miss the whole Festival.

As a result, Meade has taken advantage of the absence of Macs Joy by snapping up Barry Geraghty for the ride on Iktitaf in the Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle, but riding plans for hot Ballymore Properties Novices’ Hurdle favourite Aran Concerto are still to be decided.

“Paul is not going to ride next week,” said Meade.

“He visited the doctor today and he has advised him not to ride and the foot is not improving the way they had hoped.

“Barry Geraghty will ride Iktitaf in the Champion Hurdle, but we haven’t confirmed anyone yet for Aran Concerto. I should know more tomorrow.”