Nunthorpe hero Alpha Delphini ruled out for the season after setback

Bryan Smart has been left reeling by a setback that will prevent Nunthorpe winner Alpha Delphini from defending his crown next month.

His stable star, who had the trainer punching the air in celebration after beating Mabs Cross by a nose at York last year, has been ruled out for the remainder of the season.

"I could nearly have jumped off the top of Sutton Bank!" said the frustrated Smart. "But these things are sent to try us and this is what the job is about.

"All we can do is do the right thing by the horse and I'm sure he'll come back. He was absolutely flying, he was second to Battaash at Haydock and we were getting him ready to go to Royal Ascot and he was very well in himself and he was just a bit silly and that's what happens. He knocked himself and we're going to give him the time."

Alpha Delphini will be nine next year but Smart takes comfort from the fact that half-brother Tangerine Trees was still winning races at the age of 11.

"What makes you mad is that he looks a million dollars but there's no mileage on him whatsoever," Smart said. "He's having Jacuzzis two or sometimes three times a day, he's walking quietly, he's getting laser and arc equine treatment – all our team are keeping on top of him.

"With God on our side we're going to bring him back and have him ready for another crack at the Nunthorpe as a nine-year-old – won't that be good?"

There has been ill fortune for the winners of the Group 1 races at York last August as Sea Of Class (Yorkshire Oaks) has died from colic and Roaring Lion (Juddmonte International) is recovering from surgery for the same ailment.

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