We’d entered Diamond Days in a couple of races at Wincanton on Tuesday, with the intention of running in one of them.

Over the weekend we had the equine physio in the yard, so we got him to give Diamond Days the once over ahead of the planned run. He actually found a trapped nerve high up in his neck, and as any of you will know if you’ve had that problem, it can be very sore for horses as it can be for humans.

He will be able to treat it, but the horse will need to be sedated, so we’ll get the vet and the physio back in early this week, and between them they’ll get the nerve released. We don’t know for sure, but this issue could well explain why he ran like he did at Fontwell last time, if he was feeling the soreness every time Brendan asked him to go round the bends, that could be the reason he ran so wide. 

Once it’s been treated he won’t need a break or any great amount of work at home, so we can hopefully have him back on track over the Christmas and New Year period for his second run over hurdles.

Joe Tizzard, Coral Racing Club Trainer