Joseph O'Brien's star Novice Chaser last year is set to miss the Cheltenham festival for a second year running but Le Richebourg's trainer is positive he will be seen before the end of the season.
The seven year old was superb last term winning four of his six outings which included two grade One victories at Leopardstown.
His two loses last year came on his seasonal debut at Galway which was a run that was needed to blow the cobwebs away and the other in the Grade One Drinmore Novices Chase just being edged out by this seasons Savills Chase winner Delta Work.
Class act Le Richebourg takes more Grade 1 honours with a good victory in the Frank Ward Solicitors Irish Arkle for Mark Walsh and @JosephOBrien2 at @LeopardstownRC #DRF pic.twitter.com/rfbn3aXdqq
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) February 2, 2019
Being dropped in trip was the making of the horse during his novice campaign and having been aimed at a return over the Christmas period but unfortunately suffered another injury setback.
(Credit At The Races) "Le Richebourg was due to run on New Year’s Eve – but he had another little setback,” said O’Brien.
“He’s in training, and there’s a chance he might make some of the Festivals in the spring.
“With Cheltenham being the first of them, that would be less likely than the others.”
The Aintree and Punchestown festivals will be the big aim for the JP McManus owned chaser this season and with him still being fairly young he could still fulfil his novice potential.