Gypsy Island © Photo Healy Racing
Leading Cheltenham Festival fancy Gypsy Island has been ruled out for the season after suffering injury.
An impressive winner on her bumper debut at Ballinrobe in August of last year, the JP McManus-owned five-year-old suffered a short-priced defeat on her hurdling bow at Navan.
However, she bounced back to register three consecutive victories in the bumper sphere after the turn of the year, including dominant displays in Listed company at Fairyhouse and at Grade Three level at Punchestown.
Peter Fahey’s charge was ante-post favourite for the mares’ novices’ hurdle in March, but she is now set for a spell on the sidelines.
Fahey said: “Unfortunately she’s suffered a small fracture in a hind leg and rather than rush her back, we’ve decided to give the year off.
“She was due to run next week and it’s sickening for everyone in the yard and everyone involved.
“The good thing is she’s only five and hopefully she’ll make a full recovery.”
