Old Roan Chase hero Forest Bihan ruled out for season

Forest Bihan has been ruled out of the remainder of the season after sustaining an injury when successful in last month's Old Roan Chase.

The Brian Ellison-trained eight-year-old out-sprinted his rivals in the closing stages at Aintree, in a race where six of the fences were omitted due to low sun.

Ellison said: "Forest Bihan sustained an injury when he ran and is out for the season. It is desperately disappointing but we hope he’ll be back next season."

The frustration has not put Ellison off Aintree, however, and he plans to return to the Merseyside track next month with ten-year-old and stable favourite Definitly Red, who like Forest Bihan races in the colours of Phil and Julie Martin.

Last season's Charlie Hall and Many Clouds Chase winner, who was brought down at the tenth in the Magners Cheltenham Gold Cup, has the Randox Health Grand National rather than the Cheltenham Festival as his big target this season, with the Becher Chase at Aintree a likely stepping stone.

"Definitly Red is in great form and heads to Aintree next month," added Ellison. "Either the Many Clouds Chase or the Becher but we are favouring the Becher Chase over the National fences with the Grand National the ultimate target."

Read more from Brian Ellison and many more trainers in Stable Tours Extra in Monday's Racing Post. Available online to Ultimate members at 6pm on Sunday