Extremely talented staying chaser Next Destination, once with Willie Mullins and now with Paul Nicholls has been ruled out for the rest of the season according to the trainer with a leg injury.
He was a superb novice chaser last season, winning two of his first three starts over the larger obstacles, including a Grade Two at Warwick beating the smart Fiddlerontheroof, then finished second behind the talented Galvin at the Cheltenham festival in March when stepping up in trip even further to 3m5f for the National Hunt Chase.
Looking to be part of Nicholls' staying chase brigade he was entered in the Grade One Betfair Chase at Haydock but having not eaten up before the race was withdrawn.
Cracking race!
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) January 16, 2021
Grade 1 winner Next Destination repels Fiddlerontheroof and Golan Fortune for @PFNicholls and @CobdenHarry at @WarwickRaces pic.twitter.com/JwMYTB2Fdf
It was thought he could be the Gold Cup horse for the Ditcheat yard this term but having not been included in the entries for the great race, Nicholls revealed he will be out for the rest of the season due to a leg injury.
(Credit Racing Post) Nicholls' assistant Harry Derham said: "Next Destination has got a small leg injury, but it's keeping him out and he's such a talented and delicate horse he unfortunately won't run this season.
"He was due to run in the Betfair Chase and it's one of those very unfortunate things. Mr Denmark has been so patient with him.
"He was obviously a very fragile horse because he'd had so long off the track when he joined us but, fingers crossed, he'll be back next season because he's a fantastic horse and we're very lucky to have him."
