MISSED THAT:The three-time winner in Grade One company Missed That has suffered a fatal injury at Willie Mullins' yard. The seven-year-old, winner of the 2005 Champion Bumper at Cheltenham as well as the Durkan New Homes Novice Chase and Irish Arkle, was a general 20 to 1 chance for the Cheltenham Gold Cup this term.
However, Mullins has confirmed that Missed That broke his pelvis in a mishap at his Co Carlow base. "He broke his pelvis and we think breaking it may have severed an artery," explained the trainer.
Missed That, who was owned by Violet O'Leary and ran in the colours made famous by Florida Pearl, won seven of his 12 starts and was last seen when taking a Grade Two event at Punchestown in April.
McCOY CENTURY: Tony McCoy reached the milestone of a century of winners for the season when Heez A Dreamer short-headed L'Antartique in a rousing finish to the Betfair Poker Beginners' Chase at Uttoxeter yesterday.
The champion jockey arrived at the Staffordshire course with an enviable book of rides, but to the surprise of many was beaten on two odds-on shots before claiming his 100th success on the Venetia Williams-trained six-year-old.
Approaching the final fence there was little to choose between McCoy and Graham Lee on L'Antartique, but although the latter proved a willing opponent it was Heez A Dreamer who put his head down where it mattered.
"He's a tough horse and although he idled a bit coming to the last, he put his head down and battled on the run-in," said McCoy of the 3 to 1 second-favourite.
GOLD CUP: Forget The Past could still be on course for a second crack at the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup. Third in the blue riband of steeplechasing to War Of Attrition, the Michael O'Brien-trained gelding has not run since disappointing when fifth behind the same horse at Punchestown in April.
"We've had a few problems with him. He is not 100 per cent at the moment. We have to wait and see. He could be back on track for Cheltenham," owner Seán Mulryan's racing manager Herve Barjot said.
"He was not at his best early in the season and we'll have to see if he comes back right."
Forget the Past is 20 to 1 with the sponsors for the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup.
SIXTEEN-DAY BAN: Paul O'Neill has been banned for 16 days (December 1st to 16th inclusive) for failing to pull up and dismount from The Langer at Taunton when the horse had gone lame. The jump jockey admitted to the disciplinary panel of the Horseracing Regulatory Authority he was guilty of improper riding on the runner-up in the Bluestone South West Novices' Hurdle at Taunton on November 9th.
IRISH DUO OUT:Macs Joy has joined Harchibald on the injury list and has also been ruled out of tomorrow's wbx.com "Fighting Fifth" Hurdle at Newcastle after suffering a late setback. The pair looked likely favourites for the Grade One event over two miles but a pulled muscle has accounted for Macs Joy while Harchibald has suffered a slight injury at home.
Jessica Harrington, trainer of Macs Joy, said: "He won't be coming over as he has sprained a muscle in his backside.
INSPECTION:Tomorrow's meeting at Gowran Park is in doubt because of the prospect of further rain, with an inspection called for 9am today. "The going is heavy. The track is raceable at present, but it cannot take much more rain and the forecast is unfavourable," said Irish Turf Club press officer Cliff Noone.
