Topofthegame out for another season as old injury proves slow to clear up

Topofthegame will miss another jumps season, Paul Nicholls revealed on Thursday morning, as the big chestnut has not quite made a complete recovery from the leg injury which has kept him off the track since 2019. The Ditcheat trainer had expressed the hope of aiming Topofthegame at this season's Randox Grand National, but a scan of the horse's troubled leg brought those plans to a halt.

"It's not totally unexpected," said Nicholls. "Basically, we did a month's work with him and then scanned him. Our vet Buffy Shirley-Beavan says he needs more time.

"So what we've decided is to give him the rest of the season off again, just give him another year off just to be sure and then do the same next year, scan him and we'll either go on or we won't. That'll be decision time.

Watch Topofthegame win the RSA

"Chris Giles and Paul Barber, who own him, they know the situation and they're patient. Buffy is quite adamant that, if we give him a year, he will be fine. He just needs that bit more time."

The nine-year-old was last seen chasing home Lostintranslation at Aintree in April 2019. The previous month he had achieved a personal best in landing the RSA Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, beating Santini and Delta Work, at which point he looked a strong contender for future Gold Cups.

"He just hasn't healed up enough to stand training," Nicholls explained. "He just needs more time and if we're going to give him three or four months, we run out of time for this season. We're better off giving him lots of time and leave it for this season, get him back in on July 1 and try again.

"It's a challenge and we like a challenge. And there is still hope that we can get him right and if we can, we will. If not, he'll have to find another job."

Paul Nicholls: 'It's a challenge and we like a challenge. And there is still hope that we can get him right'Credit: Edward Whitaker

While Topofthegame's fans and ante-post supporters are disappointed once more, Nicholls said the horse could hardly be happier. "He's out in the field, right as rain, loving life. He's not lame or anything, we've had him trotting up the hill and on the treadmill. He's 100 per cent, you wouldn't know from looking at what he's doing. He just needs a bit more time for the injury to completely strengthen up."

The news comes just one day after Willie Mullins said his erstwhile Gold Cup contender Monkfish would have to miss the season. Nicholls noted the early autumn often produces such stories, as jumps horses are asked to do more serious work.

"This is the time when you start pressing a few buttons and asking a few questions. Traditionally, you read about a few. Monkfish was probably not the first and Topofthegame won't be the last."

Fortunately, the champion trainer has no other such problems on his radar at present. "You never know what's round the corner and every day is different, but at the moment we're in good shape and looking forward to the season."

Topofthegame career details

Read more:

Star chaser Monkfish ruled out for season and Mullins stalwart Min retired

Bookmakers fear Envoi Allen for Gold Cup after news of Monkfish injury

Ruby Walsh: 'Min was a wonderful horse who was part of a wonderful era'

Ruby Walsh launches mental health app with IHRB after being upset by report

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