Monalee set for spell on the sidelines after picking up a knock

Last season’s Gold Cup fourth Monalee is set for a spell on the sidelines and will not run for the "foreseeable future" after Henry de Bromhead revealed his Grade 1-winning chaser has suffered a setback.

Monalee had been on course to run in the King George at Kempton on St Stephen’s Day until new Covid-19 travel restrictions meant Irish horses could not participate in Britain over the festive period.

De Bromhead was understood to be rerouting Monalee to the Savills New Year's Day Chase at Tramore on January 1 when he would have faced dual Gold Cup hero Al Boum Photo. However, injury has cost him his place in the line-up.

The trainer said: “Unfortunately Monalee has suffered a bit of a knock. He has had a setback and won't run for the foreseeable future.”

Asked about the prognosis of the injury, De Bromhead added: “He will be out for a couple of months anyway and we are just waiting to get more information on it.”

The injury throws into doubt Monalee's participation in the Gold Cup in 11 weeks, a race in which he is a general 33-1 chance.

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