'I could just see him storming up the hill and winning' - huge blow for Idaho Sun camp as Grade 1 winner is ruled out of Cheltenham

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Idaho Sun will not run in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle after suffering an injury.

The Harry Fry-trained six-year-old was a 12-1 chance for the Skybet-sponsored opening race on Tuesday, but he will miss the meeting due to lameness in a hind limb. He is due to undergo a scan next week for further assessment.

Idaho Sun finished sixth in the Champion Bumper at last season’s festival and won his first three starts over hurdles, his latest success coming on Boxing Day in the Grade 1 Formby Novices' Hurdle, when he defeated the 8-13 favourite Mydaddypaddy.

Idaho Sun is the first horse owned by Jeremy Gear and he admitted he was devastated the promising novice will not get the chance to line up in the Supreme.

It’s still pretty raw,” Gearsaid. "It’s such a shame and I’m just so disappointed for Harry, Ciara, Brian Carver and all the guys that work with him at the stables.

“Every night I’d go to bed, shut my eyes and see him on the tails of whoever might be first, second or third. I could just see him storming up the hill and winning.

“I wouldn’t have said that if we were still in the race, but I can say it now – I honestly felt he was under the radar. I thought we were going to introduce ourselves to the racing world and make a pretty big statement.”

Idaho Sun had a racecourse gallop at Wincanton last Thursday and, although he worked well, a problem was noticed that evening.

Owner Jeremy Gear and Idaho Sun

Gear said: "Bryan was very happy with his performance that day. He went through the gears, he did two miles, and he finished strongly. However, that evening his right hind was slightly inflamed and warm. Over the weekend it improved with anti-inflammatory medication and he was able to work again this week.

“Then this morning, before he went out for what would probably have been his final serious bit of work before Tuesday, there wasn’t much heat but there was a tinge of lameness and the decision was made to look after the horse – he’s too special to risk.”

Gear will wait for the results of the scan and was hopeful he will run again this season, with potential to run at Aintree or Punchestown.

“The scan will tell us what's going on and we'll treat it accordingly. And who knows? We've got another four, six weeks to the two other festivals. We might be able to make it for one of those, but if not we go again next season.

“I always listen to Harry and Ciara,” he said. “If they say Aintree, it will be Aintree. If they give me the choice it would be Punchestown, I’d love to go there. But equally if they say put him away until autumn, that’s what we’ll do.”

Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle: (1.20 Cheltenham, Tuesday)
Sky Bet: 9-4 Old Park Star, 11-4 Mighty Park, 5 El Cairos, 11-2 Talk The Talk,  8 Mydaddypaddy, 10 Leader D’Allier, 12 Ballyfad, Sober Glory, 14 King Rasko Grey, 16 Sober, 25 bar.

Read more on the 2026 Cheltenham Festival:

Mighty Park's festival target finalised as confirmations for day two of Cheltenham are made 

Stayers' Hurdle: star ratings and analysis for the big race on day three of the Cheltenham Festival 

Follow: Cheltenham day two confirmations LIVE!

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