D´Estruval To Miss Hennessy Test

Jazz D´Estruval has been ruled out of the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Leopardstown on February 12 after suffering a setback.

The nine-year-old was last seen when registering an impressive hurdles success at Haydock last month after a hit-and-miss campaign over fences last season.

Trainer Nicky Richards had been targeting the Irish Grade One event but plans for the Bayolidaan gelding, who is owned by Ashleybank Investments Limited, are yet to be confirmed.

'I have to discuss it with the owner before we make any plans but he will definitely not run in the Irish Hennessy,' said Richards.

'He will be back into work this week and then it will just be steady away with him.

'He might go for the Rendlesham back over hurdles next but I have to discuss that with the owner.'

Richards sent out Faasel to finish third in the Commhoist Logistics Champion Hurdle Trial at Haydock but the five-year-old is reported to be none the worse for his exertions.

'He seems fine - no problems,' added Richards. 'I don´t want to keep making excuses but there was a very muddling pace and the ground wasn´t very good.

'I hope we will go to Cheltenham now and I think we would probably go straight there.'

Faasel is as short as 16-1 with William Hill for the Smurfit Champion Hurdle at the Festival meeting.

(C) PA Sport