Supreme Novices' contender Malone Road sidelined for the season

Malone Road, as short as 9-1 for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March, will not race this season.

The five-year-old has been ruled out by the same knee issue that forced him to miss the Champion Bumper last season, for which he had been favourite.

Trainer Gordon Elliott said on Monday: "Unfortunately Malone Road has a problem with the same knee he chipped last season. He's a very good horse and we were hoping to run him in novice hurdles but that won't be happening this season."

The son of Kalanisi won his only point-to-point before roaring home in two bumpers at Down Royal and Punchestown last November. He is owned by Cheveley Park Stud who landed the Champion Bumper with Envoi Allen.

View the result and replay of Envoi Allen's Champion Bumper win here

Elliott said of Envoi Allen, who made a winning debut over hurdles this month: "He'll be entered for the Monksfield Novice Hurdle at Navan on Sunday along with Fury Road and Abacadabras, and we'll decide on plans later in the week. But Envoi Allen could wait for the Royal Bond at Fairyhouse the following Sunday."

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