The JP McManus-owned Iroko will miss the remainder of the season after sustaining a foot injury in a "massive blow" to Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero.
The five-year-old gelding won the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March to give the joint-trainers their first success at the meeting before making a strong start to his novice chasing career when winning at Warwick.
It was a success that looked likely to lead to much greater things throughout this term, with his price for both the Turners and Brown Advisory being cut in half (from 20/1 to 10/1) afterwards, but plans are now on hold until next year as the injury will see him sidelined for the remainder of the season.
Greenall said: “He has just got a foot problem and it should be absolutely fine and he will be back next season. It is what it is, unfortunately.
“For a smaller yard with not loads of really nice horses, it’s a massive blow for anyone, but it’s hard to take.”
Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email alerts.
