Grandouet

Bill Esdaile ‏@BillEsdaile
Early indications from decent source is that Grandouet has picked up an injury and will miss Cheltenham

might impact plans for the Tent horse.

Such a shame. This race was looking like a cracker a couple of weeks ago, but now we've lost two of the leading chances. If Oscar Whisky's been taken out too, we need MTOY supplemented to add a bit of spice to the race.

No we don't ACS! Leave MTOY to win Supreme and Zark the CH

Grandouet is undergoing treatment for a near-fore issue which has put his Kingwell Hurdle participation in doubt, Nicky Henderson reports...

...but it is stressed by the trainer that there is no danger to his Stan James Champion Hurdle plans. He is not out of that race.

in out in out shake it all about, do the chemical Nicky and Laddies turn around, that's what it's all about

haha

Thanks for the update bjg

So goes to Cheltenham with no prep run and no danger to CH plans? I'm sure Hendo himself cannot believe he has said that!

does n't actually say that he's out of Kingwell Hurdle (participation in doubt) - but take your point.

He seems to be running a few there without prep runs this season: Bobs Worth and Long Run by design, and now Grandouet force. Maybe he thinks he can get them ready without a run. I'm not convinced. The record of horses going to the festival off a break is very poor.

BW was not by design - had a bad scope

Oh, I thought it was the ground? Same result though. Being off the track since the Hennessey will make it tough to get him spot on imo.

Whilst it may well not make any difference, Simonsig going without another run is far from ideal

GRANDOUET has a minor issue with his near fore that has put his participation in Saturday's Grade 2 Bathwick Tyres Kingwell Hurdle in question.

The leading Champion Hurdle hope is undergoing treatment for the problem but it is understood, while he could miss Wincanton on Saturday, there is no threat to his participation at the Cheltenham Festival.

Trainer Nicky Henderson said: "First thing yesterday [Monday] morning Grandouet had filling in his near fore which had obviously been caused overnight.

"He swam, as he regularly does, and was seen by our vets and given some antibiotics to stop the inflammation.  It has improved this morning but not by as much as we might have hoped. 

"He will swim again today, have another two sessions in our spa and we will monitor the situation again in the morning.

"Depending on the progress, a decision will be made as to whether can run in the Kingwell on Saturday.  Should this not be possible, we will change the medication which will eliminate the filling instantly but prevent him from running this weekend, as this more aggressive medication is prohibited for racing purposes in the short term. 

"Whatever the outcome, this problem does not jeopardise his participation or prospects as far as the Champion Hurdle is concerned.  There is no damage to any bone, tendon or ligament and he is 100 per cent sound.

The news emerged after Ladbrokes removed the Champion Hurdle second-favourite from the betting prompting other firms to take similar action with Coral and Paddy Power both suspending their markets.

Grandouet is one of two Henderson entries in Saturday's Kingwell at Wincanton, with Khyber Kim also engaged in a race which is also a target for the Paul Nicholls runner Zarkandar.

thanks BJG, acceptable and comprehensive explanation from the trainer - don't think anybody can complain at that.

Medication

Been down this road before!

Aint gonna win nothing with one run under its belt. My 7-1 is doomed for me.

I backed him AP last season but not this year, deja vu for some punters. 

Sky Bet are among several leading bookmakers to have suspended betting on next month's Stan James Champion Hurdle at the The ante-post market for the blue riband contest has been suspended amid rumours that Grandouet could miss the race for the hurdling crown.

Paddy Power and Coral are other firms to have suspended the market while Ladbrokes have withdrawn the Nicky Henderson-trained runner from their ante-post list.

As yet, there has been no confirmation of the rumours.

Sorry just saw this down the page.

So despite hendo's assurances that his participation in the CH is not affected, some bookies are still suspended

None are suspended that I can see and Grandouet priced up by all on oddschecker

I stand corrected