Ewan Whillans’ stable-star Cracking Rhapsody will unfortunately miss another tilt at the Scottish Champion Hurdle after an injury on the gallops.
The Sans Frontieres gelding posted a monumental Scottish double last season, winning the Morebattle and the Scottish Champion Hurdle. He beat Kabral Du Mathan last season, who’s now rated 17lbs higher.
Form figures of 0666 suggested he was declining, but an excellent fourth in the County Hurdle signalled a return to form. Bidding to become the first back-to-back winner of the Ayr contest since Sea Pigeon, a slip on the gallops means he’ll not defend his crown this season.
Whillans told Racing TV that: “Sadly, Cracking Rhapsody won’t be running in the Scottish Champion Hurdle on Saturday. He had three screws put into the fracture to pin it. He seems to have come through it well so far, which is the biggest relief.
“It’s desperately frustrating but I’m just thankful we caught it when we did. Rather than it happening in the race on Saturday. In that respect, it’s a blessing in disguise.
“He’s staying at the Dick Vet until he’s ready to come home. The vets there say he’ll need four to six weeks’ box rest before we are able to get him back on the walker. Hopefully everything continues to go in the right direction and we can get him back to the track again. Possibly around November time.”
Morebattle winner out to emulate Cracking Rhapsody
Ten runners were declared for the Scottish Champion Hurdle, including the Morebattle winner Captain Hugo. The Soldier Of Fortune gelding has form figures of 21121F1, and a mark of 135 still looks workable.
The market is headed by Tellherthename, bidding to give the Skelton’s another big Saturday winner. The Malinas gelding is winless since 2024, but returned to form when an eye-catching seventh in the County Hurdle.
Paul Nicholls will be hoping conditions don’t dry up for Tutti Quanti, who failed to fire in the Champion Hurdle. Prior to that, he was a devastating winner of the William Hill Handicap Hurdle. He beat the subsequent Aintree Festival winner Wellington Arch off top-weight there, justifying his Champion Hurdle supplement.
Another who caught the eye in the County Hurdle was Gibbs Island, five places ahead of Tellherthename. He had little room when coming from rear, though finished with plenty of running.
Chasing didn’t go to plan for Dedicated Hero despite a second to Jack Richards winner Meetmebythesea. But a return to form at Kelso last time out suggests a mark of 125 could see him fair well