On The Blind Side has joined the list of horses who will not be competing at the Cheltenham Festival, as he suffered another setback in his recovery.
The unbeaten hurdler, owned by Alan Spence, was set to take part in the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle and was fancied by many to give red hot favourite Samcro a run for his money, but he has suffered a setback.
On The Blind Side has impressed in the past 12 months after winning a maiden hurdle at Aintree on his debut in October and backed up that performance with successive Grade 2 victories, the latest coming at Sandown in impressive fashion.
However, Nicky Henderson revealed he had a slight muscle issue and will stay at home instead of competing at Cheltenham.
On The Blind Side is going to stay at home. I can’t take a chance with him and I’ll see if we can get him back to Aintree. He’s sore behind. It’s very frustrating. He’d have had a genuine chance.
Henderson hoped that On The Blind Side will be ready for Aintree and believes he’s got a huge future ahead of him.
