Collier Hill Out Of Melbourne Cup

Collier Hill, winner of the Irish St Leger last week, has been ruled out of the Emirates Melbourne Cup.

Trainer Alan Swinbank had indicated the eight-year-old would make the journey to Australia after he beat The Whistling Teal and Vinnie Roe in the Group One event at the Curragh.

However, Swinbank has decided it would be in the best interests of the Dr Devious gelding if he bypassed the November 1 event.

He told BBC Sport: 'He´s always had problems with arthritis. We´ve patched him up as much as the Vinnie Roe people have with their horse.

'He always had problems. We were lucky enough to get him there on the day last week, hence why he was only #5,000 to start with.'

Collier Hill had been as short 14-1 with Coral for the Flemington showpiece.

Swinbank expects Collier Hill to be back in action next season and he is already targeting a return trip to the Dubai Spring Carnival, where he won once and finished third in the Sheema Classic last March.

'He will be back for another race not this year but next year, he´s seven going on eight now,' Swinbank added.

'We´ve done remarkably well with him, he´s been a star. We don´t want to push a horse that´s won so much money for us.

'He will be back in Dubai, all being well, and away we go, we´ll wait and see.'

(C) PA Sport