'It's very disappointing for us' - Skelton novice My Drogo misses rest of season

Star novice chaser My Drogo, who had been a 7-1 shot for the Turners Novices' Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in March, has been ruled out for the rest of the season.

The Dan Skelton-trained six-year-old was being prepared for Saturday's Grade 2 Paddy Power Novices' Chase at Cheltenham – registered as the Dipper – when an issue surfaced.

Skelton tweeted on Monday morning: "Unfortunately My Drogo will miss the remainder of the season. We scanned him this morning after feeling heat in his near-fore tendon and whilst it is a very small lesion and will heal, it just requires time."

Trainer Dan Skelton: 'Hopefully, he'll be back next winter and we can go from there'Credit: Mike Egerton (Getty Images)

Speaking to the Racing Post, the trainer added: "It's very disappointing for us and Richard and Lizzie [Kelvin-Hughes], who own him and bred him, but there's no more understanding man than Richard about these things.

"We felt round last night and his near-fore was slightly warm and when we scanned it first thing this morning, there was a shaded area on the scan which shows there's a developing lesion.

"We've caught it early and we'll give him the time he needs. Hopefully, he'll be back next winter and we can go from there."

An impressive winner of last season's Mersey Novices' Hurdle at Aintree, My Drogo fell in dramatic circumstances on his chase debut at Cheltenham in November, but returned to that course this month to make amends with a first success over fences.

My Drogo, who laid claim to being Britain's best novice hurdler last season having stayed unbeaten in four starts over obstacles, has always been held in high regard by connections and showed his chasing potential with a seven-length victory over Torn And Frayed.

Although Skelton admitted there was room for improvement in My Drogo's jumping, the bookmakers were impressed enough to cut him to 7-1 (from 8) for the Turners Novices' Chase.

Smart novice My Drogo clears a fence on his chasing debut at Cheltenham last monthCredit: Edward Whitaker

Bob Olinger topped the betting in that ante-post market and after the news of My Drogo's absence, his odds shortened to 11-8 (from 7-4).

On his first start over fences at Cheltenham, My Drogo faced just one rival in mare Gin On Lime, but the race still provided plenty of drama as he appeared full of running at the second-last before slipping up after clearing the fence and exiting the race.

Gin On Lime was also close to coming down at the same fence but her chance was saved by Rachael Blackmore sitting tight and she was able to recover to win.

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