Monet's retired & critically ill Popular chaser Monet's Garden has been retired and "is battling away for his life", said trainer Nicky Richards. The bold-jumping grey, who turned 13 on New Year's Day, is critically ill after suffering an infection in a foot. He was last seen winning the Old Roan Chase for the third time at Aintree in October, but it was reported after the race that he had a problem with a foot. The injury became infected in the navicular bone area, which required several operations, but the wound has taken far longer than anticipated to heal. Richards said: "The old horse is battling away for his life. "I spoke to our vet this morning. It has been a hell of a job trying to close this infection down. "The navicular bone became infected and it's into the flexor tendon as well and the infection is taking some closing down. "The lady looking after him has done a fantastic job."
