Robin De Roost wins under Jonathan Moore© Photo Healy Racing
Irish Grand National-winning trainer Tom Gibney is ruing the fact one of his current flag-bearers, Robin De Roost, has been sidelined through injury.
A half-brother to Champion Chase perennial and Grade One scorer Somersby, Robin De Roost had been on an upward curve after wins during the summer at Punchestown and Wexford.
In search of a hat-trick at Tipperary in July, the seven-year-old had his bid for glory halted when he took a nasty fall at the fourth-last.
"He got injured that day, he damaged a ligament in a hind leg and he's gone for six months. They said he'll make a full recovery, it'll just take time," said the County Meath trainer.
"It was a pity - he didn't deserve it with the way he was jumping. He just got in a bit close. Believe it or not, he actually put his two feet inside the board of the fence and that's how he did the damage.
"Somersby seemed to be out on his own in that family. I loved the way Robin was coming along, though. I'm not saying he was going to be another Somersby, but he was definitely a horse on the up, that's for sure."
He added: "I haven't looked at the fall since, it annoyed me that much. He's one of the best jumpers I've ever had. He's like a showjumper. He's an absolute natural and it's just a lovely feeling when you can bring that out in a horse."
Lion Na Bearnai gave Gibney his biggest win in the 2012 Irish Grand National but things are quiet for the Trim operator at present.
"I have very little for racing at the moment. Ah Littleluck wasn't entered for Listowel with the way the weather went. He'll go to Gowran in a couple of weeks," he commented.
"It's a case of trying to get some new owners and stock in."
