Assistant trainer Declan Maher, who oversees the conditioning of the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace stable’s jumps horses, said that pin-up stayer Ablaze (NZ) (Raise The Flag), who won last year’s Grand Annual Chase (5500m) and Grand National Hurdle (4200m) before running second in the Grand National Chase (4500m), had sustained a tendon injury and may have raced for the last time.
The now 10-year-old has banked more than A$1 million in prizemoney since relocating from New Zealand and, as well as his jumping success, won the iconic Jericho Cup (4600m) at Warrnambool.
“He (Ablaze) was scanned the other day and he’s done a tendon,” Maher said.
“It most likely happened in the run (in the Crisp Chase last start), that’s usually when those things happen.
“Rod (Lyons) and his ownership group have said the horse owes them nothing, he’s a champion in their eyes and he’s a champion in our eyes – he doesn’t have to prove himself.
“But we’ll give him the opportunity to see how it heals and he’ll tell us whether he races again.”
