Simply Ned © Photo Healy Racing
Simply Ned will miss the Ladbrokes Dublin Chase at Leopardstown due to a minor injury.
Nicky Richards’ veteran is a real course specialist and has never finished out of the first three in six visits to the track.
Awarded the corresponding race by the stewards last year, he was also successful in a Grade One over Christmas, beating Footpad.
However, Simply Ned was declared a non-runner on Saturday morning after hurting his knee in his box.
Richards explained: “His lad took him out on the track for a canter yesterday morning and he rang me to say he was absolutely bouncing.
“He went off to get some lunch, then when he went back to see him in the evening he rang to say he must have given himself a bang as he had some swelling on the side of his knee.
“It hasn’t improved overnight. He’s perfectly sound, he’s had a jog around this morning, but it was clear he wouldn’t be able to run.
“The vet has given him some anti-inflammatories and by Tuesday he’ll be 100% again hopefully, or close to it.
“He’ll be back in Ireland next Christmas, hopefully.”
