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Nicanor Edging Closer To Return

Nicanor, the only horse to have beaten Denman under National Hunt Rules, is nearing a return to the track.

Noel Meade's star won the Royal & SunAlliance Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in 2006 and followed up in the Punchestown equivalent.

However, he missed the whole of last season through injury but will resume his training today.

'He had a tiny bit of a problem with his tendon so he was off for the whole year,' said Meade.

'He seems OK, he did do a little bit of hacking before I let him off (for the summer) as I didn't want him to come back for the season not having done anything.

'The scans on his leg are good but he will be ready to run when everything is right,' he told At The Races.

'His tendon was only damaged about five or 10 per cent but any tendon damage is serious and you never really know when it could get worse.

'The plan will be the same as it was before the injury, to go novice chasing.

'He is the only horse to have beaten Denman so I would imagine when we get him ready he will run in a beginners chase. He has won a SunAlliance Hurdle so whether he will stay three miles or come back to the Arkle I don't know.'

(C) PA Sport

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