Irish jumper Nichols Canyon will miss the chance to win a $US500,000 bonus after suffering an injury on the trip to America for the Grade One Calvin Houghland Iroquois.
The seven-year-old was a likely favourite for the three-mile (3600m) hurdle event after winning the Stayers’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.
The Cheltenham success put him in line for the bonus available to any horse who wins the Stayers’ Hurdle and Nashville contest within 12 months.
Nichols Canyon had finished third in the race last year and trainer Willie Mullins was naturally disappointed.
“We are really, really disappointed not to be able to contend the race, particularly due to the international aspect and the very generous bonus offered,” Mullins told nationalsteeplechase.com
“After two seasons of planning and coming up with the right horse, Nichols Canyon’s win at Cheltenham and previous experience of this race last year provided us with a once in a lifetime opportunity and we are devastated that he will miss out on being in contention for that level of prize money.
“The most important thing at the moment is to get Nichols Canyon home and plan for next season
