Labaik's career in severe doubt after Punchestown injury

We may have seen the last episode of the Labaik soap opera as the quirky grey has suffered a suspensory ligament injury on a hind leg and might never race again.

Labaik's antics at the start of races has led to plenty of headlines for him this season, although he showed what he can do when on his best behaviour when winning the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham last month.

However, he was back to his frustrating self on Tuesday when he planted himself at the start of the Herald Champion Novice Hurdle at Punchestown and consented to start only long after the rest of the field had set off.

Jack Kennedy was replaced by Davy Russell for the Punchestown Champion Hurdle on Friday, when he did start and finished a brave fourth behind Wicklow Brave. But it was revealed subsequently that the effort had come at considerable cost.

Labaik arrived back in the parade ring with severe swelling to his hind leg and it looks as though he has suffered a career-threatening suspensory ligament injury.

"He was very good, and Davy said if he had jumped any of the last three hurdles he might nearly have won," said trainer Gordon Elliott on Saturday.

"He’s a good horse. Unfortunately he’s quirky, but that’s the way it goes."

He added: "He came home and was very sore on Friday night so we will have to see how he is.

"I'd say we won't be seeing him for a good while, that's for sure. He was in the vet’s Friday night and the chances of running again could be very slim."