Hopes of a third Ryanair Chase win for the brilliant Allaho have been dashed for the second year in succession after connections were again forced to rule him out of the Cheltenham Festival.
The Willie Mullins-trained 10-year-old carried the colours of Cheveley Park Stud to stunning Ryanair wins in 2021 and 2022, but missed the entirety of last season through injury.
He made a successful return from 19 months on the sidelines in the Clonmel Oil Chase in November and while he had to make do with minor honours in third when favourite for the King George at Kempton on St Stephen's Day, he bounced back to winning ways when notching a third triumph in last week's Horse & Jockey Hotel Chase at Thurles.
That 13-length victory saw Allaho cement his place at the head of ante-post lists for this year’s Ryanair Chase on 14 March, but he will not be making the trip to Prestbury Park.
Chris Richardson, Cheveley Park’s managing director, said: "Allaho was found to be lame after his race at Thurles and it’s been diagnosed as a strained hock, so he’s going to require several weeks rest and recuperation and therefore sadly misses Cheltenham.
"It’s very frustrating, as it was good to see him return to form the other day, but he wasn’t 100% afterwards and we’re just going to have to give him the time, I’m afraid."
Meanwhile, Tattersalls Ireland has announced it will hold a dispersal sale for owners Andy and Gemma Brown early next month.
The Browns, whose horses run under the Caldwell Construction banner, count Caldwell Potter among their star horses this term, with the six-year-old having won two of his three hurdles outings including a six-and-a-half-length verdict in a Leopardstown Grade One over the Christmas period.
He is as low as 8-1 for the Baring Bingham Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival and a general 10-1 shot for the Supreme.
Other notable runners in the red and white colours this season include Fil Dor, Imagine and Sa Fureur, while Cesarewitch second Pied Piper is another leading light.
All are trained by Gordon Elliott, who sent out Jazzy Matty to win last year’s Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle – a first Festival triumph in the Caldwell silks.
The sale is due to take place on 6 February and a post on www.tattersalls.ie said: "Andy and Gemma Brown have entrusted Tattersalls Ireland to manage their dispersal sale, consisting of 29 exceptional lots.
"Clients will be presented with a rare opportunity to purchase a Grade One winner and leading Cheltenham Festival contender, along with several proven Graded winners with immense future potential."
