The former JLT Chase favourite Master Dino has undergone surgery on a hairline fracture and will now miss the Cheltenham festival, it has emerged.
Guillaume Macaire’s charge was hugely impressive in winning a novices' chase at Plumpton on Sunday and was subsequently cut to as short as 9-2 for the aforementioned race in March.
Sandown’s Scilly Isles Novices' Chase was stated as his next target on the road to Cheltenham by his French handler after that facile win on his second start over fences.
The channel-crossing chaser won’t now take part, though, after statement from the racing manager of his owners Simon Munir and Isaac Souede, Anthony Bromley.
“Very disappointing news to report that Master Dino will miss this year's Cheltenham Festival,” he said.
"(He) has had surgery this morning to insert three screws in his hind leg. Glad to say he is fine after the operation. Now the long road of recuperation."
He’s expected to be out for a year but, with age on his side at the age of five, it’s hoped he can be seen back on the track in his native France in 2020.
Colin Tizzard’s Lostintranslation, so impressive when digging in to win the Dipper Novices' Chase at Cheltenham last month, has now assumed favouritism for the JLT. He’s 6-1 almost across the board to return to Prestbury Park and repeat the trick in a Grade 1.
Gordon Elliott’s Samcro, far from sure to run, is a next-best 10-1, ahead of the mare La Bague Au Roi, Paul Nicholls’ Topofthegame and November’s Arkle Trial winner Lalor.
