Injury blow for Finian's Rainbow

Finian’s Rainbow is facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines after suffering an injury in last weekend’s Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham.

The 10-year-old was pulled up three fences from home in the ultra-competitive handicap after weakening quickly under top weight.

It later transpired the Nicky Henderson-trained runner had struck into himself.

Finian’s Rainbow is still undergoing treatment for the injury as he is suffering from an infection.

Henderson said: “Finian’s is still in hospital and will be for some time.

“They are still trying to control the infection and then they can establish the damage, but it is fair to say he will be out for some time, a considerable amount of time, I fear.

“It is such a shame because I really thought we had sorted him out, but obviously it explains his run last week.

“The injury is in a really bad place and the primary task at the minute is to control the infection, then they can establish how much damage has been done to the tendon in the pastern.

“Michael Buckley (owner) absolutely adores him and after the traumas of last year (when Finian’s Rainbow suffered breathing problems), it just doesn’t seem fair for either of them.”

Finian’s Rainbow won the 2012 Champion Chase at Cheltenham and then followed up at Aintree in the Melling Chase the following month.