Heads Up set to return in the autumn The John McConnell trained Heads Up is on a break until the autumn following a disappointing run when last seen in April. Runner-up in the 2025 Cheltenham bumper, the gelding made a winning start to his jumping career at Listowel in September. Following two decent efforts in better races, he picked up black type when landing a Listed race at Punchestown on his penultimate start. However, having failed to fire last time, McConnell revealed the six-year-old is set for some time off: "He's on a break. We found a little issue with him after Fairyhouse - he finished lame and we found an issue with him. "That's been treated and he is at home resting in Darragh's (McDonagh, owner) place. He probably needs to stay there until August and then come back in. "It will either be go chasing or handicap hurdling. We will probably jump a fence maybe and see how he jumps it. If he takes to it very well, we will go down that route. If not, we will go hurdling." Additional reporting by Michael Graham.
