Diamond Harry Pointed Away from Gold Cup

A possible wind problem has emerged with Gold Cup contender Diamond Harry according to a story in this morning's Racing Post. Having not exactly had the best of seasons this year, despite stepping up to the highest level of chasing talent, the former Hennessy winner is suspected to have developed a breathing problem over the last few months and will need a much closer look.

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It does not appear to be a life-threatening or even career-threatening problem but it certainly could put him out of the picture for the widely-anticipated Cheltenham Gold Cup later on in March.

Speaking to the media on Monday, part-owner Paul Duffy declared, “we believe he has a breathing problem. Noel Fehily reported he was gasping for air so we are having it investigated - I spoke to Noel yesterday and he thought the horse did very well in light of the problem.”

Diamond Harry is said to have a date with a vet tomorrow and, while there is still a chance that he could make the Cheltenham Gold Cup later on in the season, he will likely be pushed back and pointed at Aintree should the big race be unavailable.

Diamond Harry is well-rated and is clearly considered to be a Grade 1 chaser and the rumours of this breathing problem could possibly excuse some of his below-par efforts over this past season. Maybe it's not the step up in quality that was undoing many of his efforts.

His price for the Gold Cup is relatively unaffected right now but will likely jump tomorrow based on negative news from the vet staff.

As it currently stands, he can be backed as low as 33/1.

Long Run remains the outright favourite for the 2012 Cheltenham Gold Cup with a price that hovers anywhere between 9/4 and 5/2 while Kauto Star – who has strung together two legendary victories this season – is the firm second favourite with a 7/2-9/2 price tag on the ante post markets.

Grands Crus, Synchronised and the Midnight Chase are all available as the key challengers.