Sir Des Champs to miss Gold Cup

Last season's Cheltenham Gold Cup runner-up Sir Des Champs will miss the remainder of the current campaign after sustaining a tendon injury.

The eight-year-old's excellent effort behind Bobs Worth at Prestbury Park was sandwiched by victories in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Leopardstown and the Punchestown Gold Cup in April.

He fell on his return to action in the John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase, but was not disgraced when fourth in the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown on December 28th and was expected to improve for the run.

However, he is now set for a spell on the sidelines.

Trainer Willie Mullins told his website www.wpmullins.com: "He has suffered slight damage to a tendon.

“The injury is going to take time to heal so we have decided to pull the plug on the remainder of this season.”