Iktitaf Season In Doubt Iktitaf could be sidelined for the rest of the season after suffering a badly cut knee when finishing second at Punchestown. The five-year-old was sent off the 10-11 favourite for the Grade Two Byrne Group plc Novice Hurdle but he could only finish a one-and-a-half-length second behind Mounthenry. Trainer Noel Meade has definitely ruled out a crack at the Anglo Irish Bank Supreme Novices´ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival and is unsure as to whether Iktitaf will recover in time to run again this campaign. 'The horse has got a bad gash on his near fore knee. It may have happened when he made a mistake on the far side,' said Meade. 'By the look of it, it will need 10 to 12 stitches which means he will be out for at least four weeks so that rules out Cheltenham. 'He may possibly be out for the rest of the season.' Iktitaf had been a 10-1 chance with Ladbrokes for next month´s Festival.(C) PA Sport
