Chianti Classico's racing career in doubt after suffering tendon injury at Cheltenham
Leading Grand National contender Chianti Classico suffered a potentially career-ending tendon injury at Cheltenham on Friday.
The Kim Bailey-trained seven-year-old was sent off the 2-1 favourite for the £100,000 handicap chase, with connections dreaming he could emerge as a Gold Cup horse this season.
Despite travelling strongly, he faded into third behind the winner King Turgeon and was found to be lame on his left-hind leg after the race.
The vets attended Chianti Classico after the race and he was administered pain relief before returning to Bailey's stable just outside Cheltenham.
Chianti Classico, who scored in the Ultima Handicap Chase at the festival in March, is being cared for and connections will make a decision on his future swiftly.
"He's back at home now and is comfortable," Bailey said on Saturday morning. "He was pulled up and the vets were quickly to him and did an excellent job as they always do.
"I need to have a discussion with his owners before we make any plans, but it doesn't look good. This injury can be very hard to come back from; I had one horse who had a similar injury and it wasn't good. I don't think it's life-threatening but it could be career-threatening.
"He'll be in his box and won't be doing much for a while now. We won't do anything without the permission of the vets."
Chianti Classico produced a mighty effort to win the Ultima in fine style and become the first British-trained winner at last season's Cheltenham Festival.
After an encouraging comeback success at Ascot in November, connections had aspirations he could develop into an Aintree contender this season.
He was due to run in the Becher Chase over the Grand National fences last weekend before the meeting was cancelled due to high winds caused by Storm Darragh.
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