Al Ferof will not race at Cheltenham, trainer confirms
Grey Gelding Al Ferof is to miss a series of prestigious racing events this spring, it has been announced.
The 10-year-old, trained by Paul Nicholls, has now had to pull out of races at Ascot this weekend, as well as the Cheltenham Festival – one of the most highly anticipated racing events of the year.
Al Ferof recently underwent minor surgery, and now needs a further operation on an entrapped epiglottis, causing him to miss both the events. However, trainers are hopeful that he will make a full recovery and be able to run at both Aintree and Punchestown in April.
Trainer Paul Nicholls wrote in his blog that he would now be entering top-class novice Ptit Zig for the Ascot Chase this weekend. The Bay Gelding is also set to race at the JLT Novices’ Chase at this year’s Cheltenham Festival.
Nicholls told his followers: “Al Ferof has a minor problem which rules him out of his intended target in the Betfair Ascot Chase on Saturday, and also the Cheltenham Festival.
“He has a partially entrapped epiglottis which requires minor corrective surgery. So Ascot and Cheltenham are ruled out as he will be recovering, but the aim is to get him ready for Aintree and Punchestown.
“In the light of that, I will be entering Ptit Zig for the Betfair Ascot Chase at the weekend.”
Jockey Sam Twiston-Davies rode Al Ferof to third place in the King George VI Chase at Kempton Park on Boxing Day last year. He had previously been fifth favourite for the Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham, and also had favourable odds for the Ryanair Chase.
Now, all eyes are on other stars for this year’s Cheltenham Festival, including The New One. Experts are claiming that 7-year-old Bay Gelding “gets better with age” after an impressive performance at Cheltenham in December, in which he won the coveted International Hurdle. With such extensive experience winning hurdles at Cheltenham, Nigel Twiston-Davies’ star could well be in for another winner just yet.
This year’s Cheltenham Festival will take place at Prestbury Park from 10th to 13th March, and promises three days of excitement in the form of Ladies’ Days to the infamous Gold Cup Day. Now in its 155th year and doubtless with a few anniversary plans in the pipeline, the Cheltenham Festival 2015 promises to be one of the most exciting yet.