Moscow Mannon© Photo Healy Racing
Brian Hamilton is hoping to get Moscow Mannon back in action at Naas later this month after enduring a frustrating campaign with his star performer.
The Moscow Society gelding shot to prominence last season when landing three bumpers and finishing fourth behind Champagne Fever at Cheltenham.
His hurdling debut was delayed by injury this season but he got off the mark in fine style over jumps at Navan in December.
A planned run at Naas last month had to be scraped after a bad scope and he had been engaged in yesterday's Grade 1 Deloitte Hurdle before picking up another minor injury.
“Hopefully he'll run at Naas now on Sunday week in the novice hurdle there,” said Hamilton.
“He banged himself in the horsebox on his way to gallop at Dundalk last Sunday and had superficial cuts and a bit of an edema above the knee.
“He had to have anti-inflammatories so couldn't have run (at Leopardstown) as it would have shown up positive on a test.
“He'll have 18 days between the Naas race and Cheltenham so we'll play it by ear and see what way it goes. He'll work again on Tuesday.
“It's been one thing after another with him this season. First he hurt himself schooling in November and that knocked him back six weeks as he tore muscles in his shoulder.
“He was all set to run at Naas last month but scoped dirty. The way he was going recently he was in good old form.
“Looking at the race yesterday it looked like he might have been placed in it.
“These things all happen for a reason and maybe it's as well we didn't run him. If Cheltenham doesn't work out there is plenty of prize money elsewhere on offer and he'll be a fresh horse.”
