Black Op withdrawn less than half an hour before intended chase debut

Grade 1-winning novice hurdler Black Op was withdrawn less than half an hour before his eagerly anticipated chasing debut at Exeter due to quickening ground.

Trainer Tom George made the decision not to run the seven-year-old, a best-priced 10-1 favourite for March's JLT Novices' Chase, after jockey Noel Fehily gave his verdict on the surface after riding in the previous race.

"The ground is just a bit tighter than we had hoped for and there is no point in taking a chance with a horse like him," said George, "It's a long winter and there's no rush.

Black Op's career details

"Noel Fehily came back after winning aboard Just A Sting and said the ground on the chase course is a shade quicker than on the hurdles track and that made up our minds.

"I will get back home this evening and have a good look at similar opportunities, but when that will be I don't know as there is no significant rain in the forecast for the next week to ten days."

The official description was changed to good, good to soft in places from good to soft following the first race.

In Black Op's absence the race was won by The Russian Doyen, who saw off five rivals to give Colin Tizzard a treble on the card.

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