http://www.attheraces.com/article.a...eason&ref=atrPA Racing Feed&nav=&sub=&day=Wed Philip Hobbs has confirmed his classy novice chaser Fingal Bay will miss the rest of the season after suffering a tendon injury. The Grade One-winning hurdler made a perfect start to his career over fences at Chepstow in October and ran a fine race to chase home Dynaste at Cheltenham a month later. But having been sent off a 1-12 favourite at Exeter to regain the winning thread at Exeter last week, Fingal Bay jumped violently left for much of the journey before eventually running out at the third last, after which the injury was discovered. "He has unfortunately sustained a minor tendon injury. That was not the reason he was jumping so badly left at Exeter, but it does mean he's going to miss the season, so that's a disaster for all of us," Hobbs told At The Races. "It's really bad news as he's won the one novice chase, so next season he's going to have to run in conditions chases with little experience. That's not ideal, obviously." -A real shame. Has to be said he hadn't looked quite as imperious this season but a shame he doesn't get himself in the mix at Cheltenham.
Bad news for connections but his form never amounted to anything truely significant,despite his defeat of a still rusty Simonsig and two G1 hurdles wins...anyone who considers last years Challow hurdle a G1 needs their bolt tightened. I've never had him down as a top notcher and have articulated as much more than once.
Well in many ways I agree with you. I think I would want to qualify that though by saying he was most unfortunate to be injured pre-Cheltenham, as we never got chance to really measure him. He ran well at Aintree when a narrow 2nd and miles clear of the rest. His chase debut was over too short, he was outpaced by a potentially very smart Dynaste, and at 1/12 LTO it was just something silly waiting to happen. He looked an out and out stayer and with solid form, despite doubts in terms of a slightly regressive profile, he deserved a chance to prove us wrong in an RSA Chase.
Still looked a big baby to me this season and he will be a different proposition next season with another year on his back and hopefully will come back a really nice staying chaser.
