A leg injury has ruled top French chaser First Gold out of this year's Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup and the horse will now miss the rest of the season after it was discovered his injury had got progressively worse over recent weeks. The nine-year-old gelding was bought by JP McManus in a double deal with Baracouda after winning last season's King George VI Chase and he was hot favourite for last year's Cheltenham Gold Cup before the foot and mouth epidemic intervened.
However, he enjoyed success later in the year in the Martell Cup at Aintree and trainer Francois Doumen had been targeting this year's Gold Cup contest for his stable star despite a poor showing in the Pertemps King George VI Chase at Kempton on St Stephen's Day. He finished a long way behind winner Florida Pearl but was due to renew rivalry with Willie Mullins' charge in the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Leopardstown a week on Sunday. However, it has now emerged that First Gold will make no further appearance this season.
Filed by Amanda Fennelly
