after failing to fully recover from an injury sustained in the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Last year's Lexus Chase winner finished seventh on unsuitably fast ground in the Prestbury Park blue riband and returned home sore.
Trainer Noel Meade had hoped his star chaser would be able to defend his Lexus crown at Leopardstown over Christmas, but he has been forced to write off the full campaign.
"We've decided to give him the year off," said Meade.
"He was very sore after Cheltenham and had a bit of heat in a leg. We've tried to take it slowly with him since he came back in but the heat has come back and I thought I'm not going to take any chances with him and we'll give him the season off.
"You always worry when they get heat in a leg like that and we'll have to see what happens after he's had a break."
Valid point strontium but the owner now has a horse sat in a stable for another season that could have been out running and proving how useful he could have been for the sake of not listening to his trainer. That's what he pays the man for.
Valid point strontium but the owner now has a horse sat in a stable for another season that could have been out running and proving how useful he could have been for the sake of not listening to his trainer. That's what he pays the man for.
Indeed. They made a mistake. But they pay the trainer to train it, not to own it. If you've got a top class staying chaser of course you're going to want to run it in the Gold Cup when you get the chance. You may never get that chance again. They might even consider trading the GC run for a season out worthwhile.
Indeed. They made a mistake. But they pay the trainer to train it, not to own it. If you've got a top class staying chaser of course you're going to want to run it in the Gold Cup when you get the chance. You may never get that chance again. They mig
Pandorama has missed his chance, as has his owner. As has the trainer, for that matter. And what have they traded off? Hate to see a good horse losing out on potential. Sorry - being an old misery here.
Pandorama has missed his chance, as has his owner. As has the trainer, for that matter. And what have they traded off? Hate to see a good horse losing out on potential. Sorry - being an old misery here.