Champion dark horse Coeur Sublime to have breathing test after Matheson defeat

Coeur Sublime will have his breathing examined following his 12-and-a-quarter-length third in the Matheson Hurdle, with the promising hurdler reported to have made a respiratory noise in running.

An impressive winner of the WKD Hurdle on his previous start at Down Royal, the four-year-old was unable to get on terms with speedy winner Sharjah and gallant runner-up Petit Mouchoir in the straight.

The Chris Jones-owned hurdler was sent off the 100-30 second-favourite for the €125,000 prize and had been suggested as a potential dark horse in the murky Unibet Champion Hurdle coming into this Leopardstown assignment.

"I was disappointed," said trainer Gordon Elliott. "At first I was disappointed with the ride Davy [Russell] gave him, I didn't think he put him into the race, but he came in and said the horse made a bit of a noise.

"Davy's riding the horse, knows him and you have to go with what he says. I was glad he said that."

Gordon Elliott on Coeur Sublime: 'He's never made a noise at home, so we'll see how he is'Credit: Patrick McCann

The Cullentra handler, who enjoyed a Christmas to remember with four Grade 1 winners, added: "We'll have to get the horse's wind checked because Davy said from heading out the back straight to the turn in he was making a bit of a noise. He's never made a noise at home, so we'll see how he is."

Disappointing favourite Klassical Dream, who had his chances dented significantly after an error at the fourth hurdle, was found to be normal post race when examined by the IHRB veterinary officer.

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