Identity Thief© Photo Healy Racing
Henry de Bromhead would not be drawn on future plans for Identity Thief after he was declared a non-runner in the Flyingbolt Novice Chase at Navan.
The Grade One-winning hurdler made a flying start to his career over fences with successive wins at Punchestown, but it has been far from plain sailing for the seven-year-old since.
He was pulled up lame during a much anticipated clash with Min at Leopardstown over Christmas and then unseated David Mullins at the first fence in last month's Irish Arkle.
Connections had hoped to see Identity Thief get his season back on track in Sunday's Grade Three contest, but he was withdrawn after suffering another setback.
De Bromhead said: "He's sore this morning and unfortunately he can't run."
Identity Thief holds entries in the Arkle Trophy and the JLT Novices' Chase at next month's Cheltenham Festival.
Whether he makes the trip to Prestbury Park remains to be seen, however.
"He's not running today and that's it," the trainer added.
