Jack booked for season-ending surgery

Crack Away Jack is to have a wind operation after a poor performance on his second comeback run at Kempton on Friday.

The seven-year-old, winner of the Fred Winter Juvenile Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in 2008, is unlikely to run again this season after he was pulled up when well behind Punchestowns.

Trainer Emma Lavelle has scratched her charge from his two engagements at Cheltenham, the Queen Mother Champion Chase and the Ryanair Chase.

He only returned to action at Ascot last month when unplaced behind Master Minded after being sidelined with a tendon injury since he finished fourth to Petit Robin in the Desert Orchid Chase at Kempton in December 2009.

“He’s going to have a wind operation so that will be him finished for the season,” said Lavelle.

“He’s just not getting enough air in and I think you just can’t run if that’s the case, so he’s going to go and have that done.

“He jumped great at Kempton but when he stopped there was obviously something big wrong. There was no blood or mucus on the scope and it just appears he’s not getting enough air in.

“He’s having a wind operation hence there is no point leaving him in at Cheltenham and we’ll start next season with an fresh sheet. I imagine he’ll be staying over fences, especially off his rating.”