De Rasher Counter ruled out of Ladbrokes Trophy with season-ending injury

Last year's Ladbrokes Trophy winner De Rasher Counter, who was being prepared for the historic Newbury race again, has been ruled out for the season with a leg injury.

Trained by Emma Lavelle in Wiltshire, De Rasher Counter gave the yard a memorable day 12 months ago when powering home under conditional Ben Jones.

He had been a 12-1 chance with the sponsors for his repeat bid.

Emma Lavelle: 'We'll aim to bring him back next season for another crack at the Ladbrokes Trophy'Credit: Edward Whitaker

Lavelle, who trains the eight-year-old for the Makin' Bacon Partnership, said on Monday: "He had a bit of heat in his leg this morning, so I got our vet to come and look at it this afternoon. He scanned it and you can see there's a mark on the tendon. Sadly that'll be it for the season for him.

"It's really disappointing for everyone concerned when it's within touching distance and then it's taken away, but we know it's the kind of thing that can happen. He's quite happy, with his head over the stable door, thinking, 'I feel great but I just won't be going to Newbury for the press morning tomorrow or the Ladbrokes Trophy later this month'."

Lavelle, whose stable star Paisley Park will gallop at Newbury on Tuesday morning as he warms up for next week's Ladbrokes Long Distance Hurdle at the track, added: "It's a shame but it's not a disaster and we'll aim to bring him back next season for another crack at the Ladbrokes Trophy."

Following last year's big-race success at Newbury, De Rasher Counter was a well-beaten fourth in the Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham and pulled up in Uttoxeter's Midlands Grand National, but his comeback second at Newton Abbot last month was encouraging.

The Conditional, beaten a length and a half by De Rasher Counter in the Ladbrokes Trophy last year, is the general 7-1 favourite this time round.

You might also be interested in:

Lavelle and Jones joy as De Rasher Counter brings home Ladbrokes Trophy bacon

Last year's Ladbrokes Trophy result, replay and analysis

Ladbrokes Trophy favourite Topofthegame ruled out for another season

Members can download the digital newspaper every evening from 9pm. Not a member? Click here to sign up and enjoy the digital newspaper every day.