War Of Attrition Out For The Season?
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betsmate
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WAR SET TO MISS CAMPAIGN
Mouse Morris stresses War Of Attrition has not met with a setback - but the 2006 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner is unlikely to be seen this season.
The eight-year-old, who also finished runner-up to Brave Inca in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle in 2004, injured a tendon when being prepared for his defence of the blue riband event.
He underwent stem cell surgery, which was a success, and while he is now back in work, Morris thinks it would be asking too much to have him ready in time for Cheltenham.
"He's had absolutely no setback and the horse is in absolutely terrific fettle but he won't be running this year," said Morris.
"We are not rushing him back, he is in strong work but we decided that time was running out.
"It is not even nine months since he had the surgery. Normally it takes a year before they are even being ridden out but he has been ridden for the last six months.
"He's in great fettle and the owner (Michael O'Leary), myself and David Chapman-Jones, (vet) who did the stem cell work, are delighted with the scans but feel it would be pushing it to get him 100%.
"Had it have happened at the start of last season I would definitely say he would be running, but considering it is not even nine months, they have done a great job with him.
"It was always unlikely that he would run within the 12 months and you only have to look at Kicking King, who has been off two years with a similar problem.
"Everybody is happy with him but we just thought it would be rushing the job to try and get him ready."
Mouse Morris stresses War Of Attrition has not met with a setback - but the 2006 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner is unlikely to be seen this season.
The eight-year-old, who also finished runner-up to Brave Inca in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle in 2004, injured a tendon when being prepared for his defence of the blue riband event.
He underwent stem cell surgery, which was a success, and while he is now back in work, Morris thinks it would be asking too much to have him ready in time for Cheltenham.
"He's had absolutely no setback and the horse is in absolutely terrific fettle but he won't be running this year," said Morris.
"We are not rushing him back, he is in strong work but we decided that time was running out.
"It is not even nine months since he had the surgery. Normally it takes a year before they are even being ridden out but he has been ridden for the last six months.
"He's in great fettle and the owner (Michael O'Leary), myself and David Chapman-Jones, (vet) who did the stem cell work, are delighted with the scans but feel it would be pushing it to get him 100%.
"Had it have happened at the start of last season I would definitely say he would be running, but considering it is not even nine months, they have done a great job with him.
"It was always unlikely that he would run within the 12 months and you only have to look at Kicking King, who has been off two years with a similar problem.
"Everybody is happy with him but we just thought it would be rushing the job to try and get him ready."
granger
Senior Jockey
no setback thankfully, just not risking annything by bringing him back too early
crazyhorse
At the Start
does anyone really believe what it says in the paper ? not that it makes a difference whether he is out because he is out or out because because they do not want to risk him?
well, does anybody really believe War will come back is the other question ? Even if - see Well Chief ?
well, does anybody really believe War will come back is the other question ? Even if - see Well Chief ?
crazyhorse
At the Start
well, whats the motive for lying to the press? shrug::
Justin Redman
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he did indeed. any reason as to why he mite not be coming back this season?
Brown Jack
At the Start
You know they say they do not come back - but once in a really blue moon some of them do. And the longer you can give them off with an injury the better. Of course it depends upon the injury and the horse, and the age of the horse.
I personally know a couple who did make it back, and they both won again. One of them at a higher level than ever before - however, eventually both of them were retired due to the same injuries.
We investigated stem cell treatment for one of ours, did not use it in the end due to his age, but it firmly recommends at least a year off.
I am a massive fan of War, love him to bits, and would love to see him come back. I agree this year is so tough that perhaps having another off would benefit him chance wise too. He is young enough. If anyone can get one back, Mouse will do it.
Obviously the other two, Well Chief and Kicking King are great too, and woud love to see them back as well. But the stats are against them are aren't they?
I'm not sure poeple lie to the press, some with hold info, but then when you have a dream you just want to wrap it in cotton wool and sharing it when things are down is not easy for connections to do.
PS Edit
Stem cell treatment is experimental both in people and animals at the moment, results are still being compiled. It is a highly thought of technique though, gathering quite a few followers amongst the medical fraternity. It may well be the way forward instead of pin firing which is so brutal.
I personally know a couple who did make it back, and they both won again. One of them at a higher level than ever before - however, eventually both of them were retired due to the same injuries.
We investigated stem cell treatment for one of ours, did not use it in the end due to his age, but it firmly recommends at least a year off.
I am a massive fan of War, love him to bits, and would love to see him come back. I agree this year is so tough that perhaps having another off would benefit him chance wise too. He is young enough. If anyone can get one back, Mouse will do it.
Obviously the other two, Well Chief and Kicking King are great too, and woud love to see them back as well. But the stats are against them are aren't they?
I'm not sure poeple lie to the press, some with hold info, but then when you have a dream you just want to wrap it in cotton wool and sharing it when things are down is not easy for connections to do.
PS Edit
Stem cell treatment is experimental both in people and animals at the moment, results are still being compiled. It is a highly thought of technique though, gathering quite a few followers amongst the medical fraternity. It may well be the way forward instead of pin firing which is so brutal.
uncle goober
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Costs a lot of money, they still have to be got fit again after it, and then they break again anyway. The medical fraternity love it because it keeps them in £s. Of course there are examples where it has 'worked' but then the horse may have recovered if they hadn't used the treatment. As Brown Jack suggests, the longer rest you give them the better, coming back too quick, which I think alot of people get suckered into doing whether it be tentatively or otherwise is the worst thing you can do. Highly technogical treatment , 'Rest'. Cheap and works wonders.
It's only nine months since WOT's surgery, and it always needs a year - although he was ridden after three months they say, which seems a bit odd. So they couldn't start training him properly ie to race fitness until just before Cheltenham, and it would be tough on a horse which had never had the injury to bring him on that fast. Hence leaving him for this season - maybe we shall see him early next season?
Shadow Leader
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Next thing we know Monsignor will be entered for the Pillar..
trackside528
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From Irish-racing.com
Taaffe Poised To Unleash King
15th Dec: Tom Taaffe has earmarked two possible starting points as stable star Kicking King continues his return from injury.
The nine-year-old has not run since lifting the King George VI Chase nearly two years ago, but he is pleasing Taaffe as he builds towards a New Year return.
“He’s very good, he did a canter on Friday morning and he may well make his debut at Punchestown on New Year’s Eve in a two-and-a-half-mile conditions hurdle,” he told At The Races.
“If not, and probably more suitable, is the Kinloch Brae at Thurles on January 17. It would obviously suit him a lot better.
“We’re hoping to get a run out of the way then maybe roll into the Irish Hennessy or the Red Mills Chase and then on to March (Cheltenham).”
Kicking King won the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2005 and is a 25-1 shot with the sponsors to regain his title this term.
Taaffe Poised To Unleash King
15th Dec: Tom Taaffe has earmarked two possible starting points as stable star Kicking King continues his return from injury.
The nine-year-old has not run since lifting the King George VI Chase nearly two years ago, but he is pleasing Taaffe as he builds towards a New Year return.
“He’s very good, he did a canter on Friday morning and he may well make his debut at Punchestown on New Year’s Eve in a two-and-a-half-mile conditions hurdle,” he told At The Races.
“If not, and probably more suitable, is the Kinloch Brae at Thurles on January 17. It would obviously suit him a lot better.
“We’re hoping to get a run out of the way then maybe roll into the Irish Hennessy or the Red Mills Chase and then on to March (Cheltenham).”
Kicking King won the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2005 and is a 25-1 shot with the sponsors to regain his title this term.
Although the saying "they never come back " generally holds good I wonder whether even if he "came back " whether KK would be seriously competitive .
He didn't seem the same horse in his post GC season anyway , scraping home from Monkerhostin after being stuffed in the Betfair .
His winning year doesn't look too clever any more either - beating a very weak GC field and a non stayer in the KG .
I am not sure that any of this compares with the form of KS ,ED and Denman.
It will be fascinating to see how he does though.
He didn't seem the same horse in his post GC season anyway , scraping home from Monkerhostin after being stuffed in the Betfair .
His winning year doesn't look too clever any more either - beating a very weak GC field and a non stayer in the KG .
I am not sure that any of this compares with the form of KS ,ED and Denman.
It will be fascinating to see how he does though.
I would imagine the injury eventually found after Christmas might have played a part in his poor performances that season. Certainly below form.
His form in the King George (where he had Azertyuiop beaten long before stamina came into play) or his destruction of the Durkan Chase field would see him as a serious contender at a track like Kempton...not sure about the Gold Cup though.
His form in the King George (where he had Azertyuiop beaten long before stamina came into play) or his destruction of the Durkan Chase field would see him as a serious contender at a track like Kempton...not sure about the Gold Cup though.