Stable star will miss another season due to injury

Valseur Lido (left): looks to be the one to side with at Down Royal

Apache Stronghold (right): will miss another season due to injuryCredit: Alain Barr

Noel Meade and his longstanding owners Paul and Patricia Hunt were handed a bitter blow on Monday as news broke that their crack staying chaser Apache Stronghold will miss another season due to a persistent suspensory ligament injury.

The eight-year-old son of Milan, considered a long-term Gold Cup prospect, had his coming of age when landing the Grade 1 Flogas Novice Chase at Leopardstown in February 2015 under a typically brilliant Paul Carberry ride.

He went on to finish runner-up behind Vautour in the JLT Novices' Chase at the Cheltenham festival the following month and was last seen finishing third to Valseur Lido in the Grade 1 Champion Novice Chase at Punchestown, but has been absent since and now faces another season lost to injury.

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Cathal GahanRacing Post Reporter

Published on 24 October 2016inNews

Last updated 14:03, 26 October 2016

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