Ed Dunlop says Red Verdon may not run again this season after deciding to miss the St Leger.
The three-year-old has impressed in runs in the Epsom Derby and the Irish equivalent at the Curragh and finished second last time out in July's Grand Prix de Paris.
After a couple of months out, a run in Saturday's St Leger was being planned for a final flourish but Dunlop revealed earlier this week he had experienced an issue in his preparation.
The Newmarket-handler has now ruled him out of the race at Doncaster and admits a lack of options means he is unsure if the colt will return this season.
“There's not a great deal left for him to be honest,” said Dunlop. “He deserved his break after he ran in France as he'd been very busy and then aim was to target the St Leger.
“Unfortunately, as everyone knows, we had a few health issues with him and it was a bit of a rush.
“In the end I decided it was going to be too much of a rush and he wouldn't have done himself justice if he'd run in the Leger. No decisions have been made over whether he'll run again this season or not.”
