Trainer Rebecca Curtis has confirmed that O'Faolains Boy has suffered a setback and will miss next Saturday's Hennessy Gold Cup.
The nine-year-old 2014 RSA Chase victor was being lined up for the outing at Newbury, but the leg issue which has kept him under wraps since he finished seventh behind Don Cossack in the Cheltenham Gold Cup in March continues to hamper his progress.
It is not a serious problem and Curtis is now setting her sights on having O'Faolains Boy ready for the Grand National at Aintree in April of next year.
“It's nothing major, there is just a little problem with one of his front legs, not a tendon or anything like that,” she told the Racing Post. “It's nothing career or season threatening, just one of those things that happens.”
Curtis added: “He is just suffering with a bit of bone pain and the vet has recommended we give him two or three easy weeks. He'll definitely be back after Christmas but not in time for the Hennessy.
“We'll try and aim him for Grand National only now, give him a couple of prep runs and give him a proper shot at it.”
