Injury rules Triumph Hurdle second favourite out for the season

In This World, a general 8-1 second favourite for the Triumph Hurdle, has been ruled out for the season due to complications with an injury he sustained when winning at Warwick in November.

The four-year-old entire son of Saint Des Saints beat current Triumph favourite Fil Dor in France and made a flawless start for Dan Skelton when winning on his British debut.

The trainer said: "We took him out of training the other day. He got a cut at Warwick that needed a bit of surgery; he had an artery that retracted. He's had a few complications, not bad ones, so we're giving him the season off. He should be back around Christmas."

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In This World is a unique prospect as Skelton has ambitions of turning him into a stallion to stand alongside Dink, the sire of his Champion Chase hope Nube Negra, at his wife Grace's Alne Park Stud.

He said: "The idea is that he becomes a stallion. He's got a fantastic pedigree. He's by Saint Des Saints and his second dam is Maia Eria, who was a hell of a good mare and used to race around Auteuil with Kauto Star.

"He's been very straightforward to train. He can get a bit fresh but otherwise he's very good, he wouldn't be walking around looking at the girls. I was really delighted about his conformation, his attitude, he's got plenty of ability and jumped nicely at Warwick.

"The form of the win has worked out well as both the second and third have won since and Skelton added: "There's an awful lot of positives and we'll just have to wait a bit longer to see a bit more."

The Gordon Elliott-trained Fil Dor is a best-priced 3-1 favourite for the Triumph Hurdle on March 18. Britain's best hope, the Gary Moore-trained Grade 1 Finale Hurdle winner Porticello, is a 12-1 chance.

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