Another blow for the north as classy Cloudy Dream is ruled out for season

High-class chaser Cloudy Dream, who has been off the course for more than a year, will not return to action this season.

The news is another blow to racing in the north of England following the announcement that former stablemate Waiting Patiently will also miss the rest of the campaign through injury.

Cloudy Dream, who chased home Altior in the 2017 Arkle before winning the Grade 2 Future Champion Novices' Chase at Ayr the following month, has not run since finishing a close-up third to Frodon in the 2018 Old Roan Chase on his first start for Donald McCain.

The Trevor Hemmings-owned ten-year-old picked up a suspensory injury in that race and although it was hoped he would be ready to return this spring, those plans have now been shelved.

The grey Cloudy Dream winning at Ayr in AprilCredit: John Grossick

Mick Meagher, who has been overseeing Cloudy Dream's recuperation at Hemmings' stud in Chorley, said: "We scanned him the other day and he's almost right, but we've run out of time to get him back this season.

"There's Aintree, Punchestown and Sandown at the end of the season but everything would have to go 100 per cent right and because we've been looking after him, he's got a bit fat. It's too much of a push and he won't run until next season."

Cloudy Dream has won seven of his 21 starts and arguably deserves more for his efforts, having run a number of fine races in defeat in Graded chases.

"He has some proper form and still loves his job," Meagher said. "I've been riding him out and the leg is good. There's no reason why he shouldn't return in the same form."

Did you know you can bet via the Racing Post mobile app/website? Simply sign in with your favourite bookmaker via the Accounts button and then bet direct from our racecards