RACING: TheHennessy Cognac Gold Cup winner, Be My Royal, is likely to be retired having broken down during Saturday's big race.
Trainer Willie Mullins believes the horse damaged a leg tendon seven fences out and he has all but ruled out a comeback.
"It doesn't look good and we will probably have to retire him. I can't see the point of trying to bring him back. Running three miles with big weights on a leg injury is very difficult.
"I think he did it about seven out. I was delighted with the way he was going and then he disappeared for a second as if he had put his foot in a hole. I was quite surprised he came back to win," Mullins said yesterday.
It was a mixed weekend all round for the Co Carlow trainer who reported that Florida Pearl will miss out on next Sunday's Durkan Memorial Chase.
"He didn't scope clean and he won't run at Punchestown. We hope to go straight to Kempton for the King George if we can get him ready. The hard race at Down Royal looks to have taken its toll," Mullins said.
There is also a doubt about Mullins's other Durkan candiate, Alexander Banquet, who knocked a leg during a schooling hurdle last week. He will need to resume work soon to make the weekend highlight.
