'He probably won't run at Cheltenham' - Sir Gerhard suffers setback

Three-time Grade 1 winner Sir Gerhard has suffered another injury setback, with the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle winner facing a race against time to make the Cheltenham Festival.

The Willie Mullins-trained seven-year-old had been expected to go chasing this season, and while that remains the plan, his hopes of another festival win have now been put on hold.

“Sir Gerhard has suffered another setback,” said Cheveley Park's director Richard Thompson. “It’s going to keep him out for a few weeks, but I don’t think it’s anything major. He probably won’t run at Cheltenham. We’re in late December now and the plan was to send him chasing at Christmas. It’s disappointing.”

The absence of Sir Gerhard is another blow to Cheveley Park, who are without stablemate Ferny Hollow for the season due to a tendon injury. Four-time Grade 1 winner Allaho has yet to run this campaign, but Thompson says setbacks are simply part and parcel of racing.

“We’ve hit a real sticky patch with injuries,” he said. “It’s unfortunate but we’ve had an incredible run and we’re lucky enough to have some fantastic horses. It’s a shame we haven’t got to see Allaho yet. He has had six weeks off, he’s doing some light work and it’s likely he’ll be going for another Ryanair. We’re in no hurry with him.”

Envoi Allen: King George runner for Cheveley Park StudCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Much of Cheveley Park’s Christmas hopes are pinned on two of their star names, the Henry de Bromhead-trained Envoi Allen and A Plus Tard. Envoi Allen has been declared to run in the King George VI Chase following his seventh Grade 1 success at Down Royal, and Thompson says it would be "unbelievable" if he were to win the Kempton showpiece.

“I’ve been really impressed with Envoi Allen,” the owner said. “He was great at Down Royal, and we’re really looking forward to being there at Kempton to see him run. It’s an incredibly competitive race with some fine younger horses in there. It’d be unbelievable if he could do it. He’s in good shape, and we’ve got Rachael on board, so it’s exciting.”

Connections are hoping A Plus Tard can bounce back having pulled up in the Betfair Chase at Haydock last month. Last season's Cheltenham Gold Cup winner has captured two Grade 1s at Leopardstown but Thompson says there’s no guarantee he will run in the Savills Chase on December 28.

“A Plus Tard isn’t a definite runner right now,” said Thompson. “Henry wants to have a final think about it. He wasn’t well at Haydock. It was just one of those things.

"The Dublin Racing Festival is an option if he doesn't run over Christmas. We won’t compromise our plans with him for now. We’re totally focused on going for the Gold Cup again.”

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