Sams Profile ruled out of Stayers' Hurdle after Morris runs out of time

Stayers' Hurdle dark horse Sams Profile will miss the race after trainer Mouse Morris revealed his star hurdler won't be ready in time for the Cheltenham Festival.

The promising six-year-old, who last season chased home Battleoverdoyen in the Grade 1 Lawlor's of Naas Novice Hurdle before finishing fifth behind City Island in the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle, was priced between 20-1 and 33-1 for the Stayers' Hurdle.

The Michael and John O'Flynn-owned gelding has not been seen since finishing half a length behind Reserve Tank in Grade 1 company at the Punchestown festival in May and Morris is hoping he will be in action at the same fixture this season.

He said: "It's nothing serious but we've just ran out of time with him. We're hopeful of getting him back for Fairyhouse and Punchestown, but he definitely won't make Cheltenham."

Sams Profile chased home Reserve Tank at Punchestown last yearCredit: Patrick McCann

He added of the 148-rated hurdler, who was an absentee from Thursday's Galmoy Hurdle entries: "He's a big horse who is still immature, so it could be no harm really in the grand scheme of things.

"We'll still be hoping that all being well he'll be seen later this season in the spring."

Sams Profile could get his chance to take on Paisley Park at the Punchestown festival, with trainer Emma Lavelle stating on Friday that a quiet campaign could leave Andrew Gemmell's star in a position for further Grade 1 honours at there in April.

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