Punchestowns suffers setback

Nicky Henderson's Punchestowns has suffered a setback in his preparation for the RSA Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

Last season's World Hurdle runner-up is a leading contender for the Grade One contest but drifted in the market on Friday following various rumours about his participation.

Henderson, speaking at Newbury on Friday, said: "We have a problem with Punchestowns on his near-fore.

"A similar thing happened last weekend and we had to take his shoe off, but it cleared up quickly and he spent a couple of days swimming, so didn't really miss anything.

"He worked on Wednesday and I couldn't have been more thrilled.

"The plan was to school him today, which we couldn't do anyway due to the frost, as it was still minus 7C at 7am with us.

"We were then going to bring him to work here at Newbury on Sunday, but we found him to be lame on his foot again last night.

"We have X-rayed it and there is nothing there. I can't say any more than that at the moment other than we will monitor it and let people know how he progresses.

"The last time it happened he was sound within 24 to 48 hours and he loved going swimming, but I did want to get another run into him and that hasn't happened and now there is this, so I am just warning people."

Henderson's other RSA Chase candidate Long Run has taken over from his stable companion at the head of the betting with many bookmakers, and pleased Henderson in a recent schooling session.

"Long Run schooled in the indoor school with Yogi Breisner and all went well," the Seven Barrows handler added.