Double Thriller is due to go under the knife for a wind operation following his defeat in the John Bull Chase at Wincanton yesterday. Paul Nicholls's charge proved an uneasy 10 to 11 favourite before being outstayed by outsider Wayward King from the final fence.
A length and three quarters separated the pair at the line. "He seems to have a minor breathing problem which is giving us a bit of a headache and at one stage or another he is going to have a Hobday operation," confirmed Nicholls.
"He looks as if he he's not getting the trip, but it's not that, it's his breathing and Joe (Tizzard) thinks the problem is stopping him in his races now, and we'll have to make a decision about him shortly," added the trainer.
Owner Reg Wilkins stated that Double Thriller will not be aimed at the Cheltenham Gold Cup or the Martell Grand National this season and he will discuss other options with Nicholls over the next few days.
"Whether we stop with him now and have him hobdayed or wait until the spring and then turn him out for the summer is what will be discussed," confided Wilkins.
Wayward King's victory under Mick Fitzgerald may have proved a surprise for many racegoers, but trainer Ron Hodges was far from shocked. In fact, only the horse's generous starting price was a mystery as far as the local handler was concerned.
"How he drifted out to 14 to 1 I just don't know as we thought we had to take our chance as we certain to be able to beat the other horses and the favourite just doesn't seem to have run his race," declared Hodges.
"Now I've won that perhaps people will say that's why Mr Hitchins sent me those horses the other day," added Hodges of the seven horses who were despatched to him from Mark Pitman's yard stable in a well-publicised split between the trainer and owner Robert Hitchins.
Hodges stated that Wayward King's main target for the season would be the Mildmay of Flete Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, a race in which he finished third last March.
Tullymurry Toff, back in action for the first time since falling in the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup in November, jumped soundly on this occasion for a smooth victory in the Monkton Chase at Wetherby. Patiently-ridden by Graham Lee, he was pushed clear from the final fence to defeat Niki Dee by five lengths.
"People were saying he had no chance in the Hennessy when he fell but it was too far out to say that," said trainer Malcolm Jefferson.
Norman Williamson was left winded and sore after being unseated from Macgeorge in this contest. The Irishman - who is expected to resume today - was stood down for the remainder of the day.
His agony was compounded when his intended partner Arctic Camper secured the £22,000 Towton Novices' Chase. With Adrian Maguire deputising, the 7 to 2 chance came through to lead at the second last and ran on well to defeat the 6 to 4 favourite Beau in the Grade Two contest .
"Arctic Camper is a talented horse and he'll be entered for the Sun Alliance Chase, but he's still got plenty to prove before Cheltenham," said Venetia Williams.
Tony Ross turned professional just 24 hours earlier and is unlikely to ride many easier winners than House of Dreams. Ross enjoyed an armchair ride as the 2 to 1 favourite strode home by 16 lengths from In Good Faith in the Benfield Ford Handicap Hurdle.
Winning trainer Mary Reveley was on the mark again when Busted Flat, carrying the colours made famous by Desert Orchid, secured the Mail On Sunday Hands `n' Heels Handicap under Michael Naughton.
