10 March 2023 , 14:44
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The King’s hopes of having his first runner at next week’s Cheltenham Festival have been dashed after his horse picked up a late injury.
Royal trainer Nicky Henderson was preparing Steal A March to contest the Pertemps Final at Cheltenham next Thursday.
Henderson had expressed hope that King Charles and the Queen Consort would be persuaded to attend the meeting.
Zara Tindall, the King’s niece and a Cheltenham Raceourse committee member, was also hoping he would pay a visit for the first time in 17 years to watch Steal A March.
Yet Henderson told the Racing Post : "He isn't going to make it which is sad, very sad. We were hoping to get him to the race because it has been the plan for a while.
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“And it would have been nice to have had a runner for the King and the Queen Consort, who were very much looking forward to the prospect of him lining up.
"He was lame after his work yesterday and will have to miss the party. I'm really disappointed for everyone and he certainly wasn't going there as a social runner.
"I'd kept him fresh since he qualified and I thought he had a right shout."
Steal A March won for the late Queen Elizabeth on the weekend of the Platinum Jubilee last year and recorded a success for the King on Boxing Day at Wincanton.
Henderson added: "We know these things will happen in the run-up to the festival but that was one I didn't want. He's not right and there's no point going there if you're not spot on.
"I shall have a few runners in the race but he would have been right at the front of the queue. I'm gutted for the King and The Queen Consort, as well as for the public; I think people would have liked to see those colours, which are so famous, at Cheltenham."