Last year's G1 Nunthorpe S. winner Live In The Dream (Ire) (Prince Of Lir {Ire}) is reported to have returned from his below-par effort at Haydock on Saturday with “a bit of bruising on his off-side and lower rib cage”, though trainer Adam West is optimistic of a swift return to action for his stable star.
Runner-up in the G2 Temple S. on his first start of the season, Live In The Dream returned to Merseyside as a short-priced favourite for the Listed Achilles S. at the weekend, but his supporters had a nervous moment at the start when he stumbled badly as the stalls opened. He soon recovered to take up his customary position at the head of affairs but was a spent force entering the final furlong and weakened to finish fifth of the eight runners.
“It's just unfortunate that these things happen in racing,” West summed up. “The headwind wouldn't have helped but, ultimately, his confidence was shot. Even though his class got him back to the front, you can't win a sprint race after falling on your nose at the gates.”
On the extent of Live In The Dream's injuries, West added, “He's been checked out thoroughly and he's got a bit of bruising on his off-side and lower rib cage. He actually hit the deck quite hard [leaving the stalls] and he had grass stains up to his knees. He caught the stalls or maybe one of the other horses caught him with a foot down the off-side.
“He's not too sore, but it would have been enough to scupper a bold show like we had hoped. He will come through it and he will be fine.”
All being well, the five-year-old is likely to make his next appearance in the G3 Coral Charge at Sandown on Saturday, July 6, a run which his trainer hopes will put him spot on for the defence of his Nunthorpe crown on Friday, August 23.
“The plan will still be to go to the Coral Charge,” West confirmed. “There is enough time to recover from that [before Sandown] but, of course, we will just take things sensibly. We're hoping to go to Sandown and then on to York.”
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