Verasi Sidelined

Verasi is unlikely to be seen in racecourse action for a while as connections give the gelding time to get over a minor problem.

The six-year-old proved too strong for Labelthou in the Grade Two December Novices' Chase at Lingfield on Saturday and is otherwise reported to be in good shape.

Handler Gary Moore said: 'He came out of his race great, very well, but he had a very bad bit on his heel after he ran at Exeter and we did the best we could with it.

'His race made it a little bit worse though, so he'll need a bit of time to get over that and we'll give him time.

'He's done his job for this year as far as I'm concerned and anything else now will be a bonus.'

While Moore is in no rush to plot his next move, he admits he would like to take Verasi back to the Cheltenham Festival in March.

'If we had to make a plan, the long-term possibility could be the William Hill (Chase) at Cheltenham, but that would only be if the ground was soft.

'He's been to the Festival before, where he ran a good race to finish fifth in the Coral Cup two years ago, but he must have soft ground.'

(C) PA Sport