Hanlon waits on race decision

Trainer John Hanlon has confirmed that a decision on Hidden Cyclone‘s next race has been delayed because of injury.

The 10-year-old suffered a gash on his leg in the Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival recently and there were fears that a tendon could have been damaged.

Fears of a serious injury have been allayed though after the bay gelding was examined by vets but it has put a delay on Hidden Cyclone returning to competitive action.

The latter was disappointing in the Ryanair Chase and could not match the runners-up performance to Dynaste 12 months ago, finishing sixth behind Uxizandre in Thursday‘s renewal.

Hanlon admits there is huge relief within the camp regarding the injury picked up and the trainer says a decision on the next meeting will be made in around 10 days.

“He had a right gash on his leg when he came back in. The vets were looking at it down at the bottom of his tendon and we were afraid we were in trouble, but it’s OK,” he said. “It’s the same leg he got a cut on last year. A horse struck into him or something, I don’t know, but he’s very sore at the minute.

“The tendon is OK and that’s the biggest part. We’ll have to see in a week or 10 days how he is and make a decision what way we are going.”