Plans are fluid for David Pipe's Champion Hurdle hope Ashkazar after he missed his intended seasonal reappearance in the Greatwood Hurdle at Cheltenham.
Pipe was not happy with the four-year-old's blood after a sample was taken on Saturday and he may now throw him in at the deep end in next month's Boylesports Hurdle.
‘I had a look at his blood last night when I got home and it wasn't in the normal range so I decided not to run him,’ said Pipe.
‘He's a very good horse and it is a long season ahead so there will be other days.
‘I had no idea there was anything wrong with him and I thought the last two work mornings were the best he had done.
‘We'll re-test him next week and see how he is and looking ahead, there is a big handicap at Ascot or the Boylesports back here next month but that is a big step up.’
