Racing

Fastorslow ruled out for season after suffering soft tissue injury

Trainer Martin Brassil hopes to have his star chaser back in action next season

JJ Slevin on Fastorslow clears the last on the way to winning the 2023 Punchestown Gold Cup. Photograph: Ryan Byrne/Inpho
JJ Slevin on Fastorslow clears the last on the way to winning the 2023 Punchestown Gold Cup. Photograph: Ryan Byrne/Inpho
Thu Dec 05 2024 - 14:32

Martin Brassil has suffered a blow with news his star chaser Fastorslow has been ruled out for the season.

The dual Punchestown Gold Cup hero was last seen finishing fourth in his defence of the John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase.

He had been as short as 4-1 for the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase at Kempton Park on St Stephen’s Day, although he would have needed to be supplemented.

In a statement released to journalist Dave Keena, the Curragh trainer said: “Following the John Durkan Chase, Fastorslow suffered a soft tissue injury.

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“Before he resumed back into full work, we had him checked over by our veterinary team. They have advised us that he requires time off so he will miss the remainder of this season.

“It is not career threatening and we expect that he will be back for the resumption of the 2025-26 season.”

Other fine efforts on Fastorslow’s CV include finishing second to big rival Galopin Des Champs in the Irish Gold Cup, while he was still going well when making a mistake and unseating JJ Slevin in the Gold Cup at Cheltenham in March.

Meanwhile, Grand National second-favourite Intense Raffles will return to action over hurdles at Navan on Saturday with Bryony Frost in the saddle.

The Thomas Gibney-trained grey, who is owned by Simon Munir and Isaac Souede, was unbeaten in his three starts on Irish turf last season.

The latter was a superb success in the Irish Grand National under Slevin, prior to which he was ridden in two further impressive Fairyhouse victories by Daryl Jacob.

Both riders are currently sidelined due to injury, meaning the six-year-old Intense Raffles will be partnered by Frost at the weekend.

Frost is currently based in France, where she is the retained rider for Munir and Souede. She will step in as the horse lines up under topweight for the Listed Bective Stud, Tea Rooms & Apartments Handicap Hurdle over three miles and a furlong.

Anthony Bromley, racing manager to the owners, said: “Tom’s very happy with the horse and he’s ready to get started. I don’t think he’s been thrown in on this hurdles start off a handicap mark of 141, but let’s see.

“Bryony is looking forward to riding him, she’s coming over on Friday to sit on him and then will ride him on Saturday.

“Daryl is injured and so is JJ Slevin, they are both on the sidelines and Bryony isn’t racing in France on Saturday.

“That worked quite well, she’s a super-sub for us and we’re looking forward to seeing him over hurdles.

“When Daryl’s back he’ll be back on the horse, he’s the number one retained rider in England and Ireland and his recovery is going well by all accounts.”

Aintree in April is the long-term aim for Intense Raffles, whose slick jumping has served him well both in his Irish starts and in his prior spell in France.

“Things are all aimed towards Aintree in April, but it will be interesting to see how he is over smaller obstacles, he’s never really run over them because French hurdles are so different,” added Bromley.

“Tom feels his asset is his jumping and we’re probably not using it, which is why I feel 141 is pretty high because it’s his ability over a fence that is his asset and we’re negating it by going hurdling.

“We’ll see how he goes and where we are anyway, and he’ll tell us what to do next.”