Charles Byrnes’ stable star Blazing Khal has been ruled out of the 2024 Cheltenham Festival after suffering with a fibrillating heart post-race at Navan on Sunday. The eight-year-old had won that contest, the Grade 2 Boyne Hurdle, a year previously, but was pulled up in this season’s event when defending his title.
Sent off as a 9/2 joint second favourite for last year’s Stayers’ Hurdle, Blazing Khal could finish only sixth but retained significant potential to return with an improved performance in this year’s renewal. However, his pulling up on Sunday saw his price drift to as big as 40/1 in places for the Cheltenham Thursday showpiece and connections have decided to pull the plug with time still to spare.
The Stayers’ Hurdle market remains dominated towards the top end by Gordon Elliott-trained runners, with last year’s third Teahupoo narrowly shading favouritism over stablemate Irish Point. Both horses run in the colours of owners Robcour, who could also be represented by Boyne Hurdle winner Hiddenvalley Lake, trained by Henry De Bromhead.
The defending champion for the race, Sire Du Berlais, remains on track for the event having finished last of seven finishers in the same race as Blazing Khal and co on Sunday. He caused a 33/1 upset a year ago, and is a best-price 25/1 to go back-to-back in a month’s time.
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