Injury denies Middleham Park chance of festival glory with exciting mare

Connections of Cheltenham Festival ante-post favourite Marie's Rock have bemoaned a "hugely frustrating" setback which has ruled the Middleham Park-owned mare out of the Dawn Run Mares' Novices' Hurdle.

The five-year-old was a general 4-1 chance for the Grade 2 next month but will miss the rest of the season after suffering a stress fracture.

Trained by Nicky Henderson, Marie's Rock went to the top of the market after a dominant win at Taunton in December took her perfect record to three victories.

Middleham Park's jumps manager Tom Palin said: "Marie's Rock is out for the season. Luckily it's nothing too serious but it's hugely frustrating and very disappointing. It's unfortunate timing for a setback, it's even more gutting that she was favourite. It's a real kick in the gentleman's region.

"It's a slight stress fracture which means she'll have six weeks in her box and then we can resume walking and light trotting exercise. In terms of next season, it shouldn't affect her at all.

Marie's Rock: could be a future star for the Middleham Park teamCredit: Harry Trump (Getty Images)

"The prognosis is excellent and in the opinion of Nicky and the vets, the likelihood of a recurrence is very slim. We'll be back rolling next season and we hope she'll be bigger, stronger and better than ever."

The Middleham Park team have enjoyed 1,104 winners but have not added to Junior's Kim Muir victory at the festival in 2011. They had high hopes Marie's Rock might have been able to double their tally.

Palin added: "It was the perfect race for her to strut her stuff in. Two miles and one furlong for novice mares, which is about as bespoke for her as you can get. It's hopefully not going to be her only day in the spotlight but we thought she could announce herself on the biggest stage.

"It's a shame the ride has to stop but this is a little downer and we're sure there will be plenty more ups to come. She's five so there's no reason why she can't reach the top class."

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