Unbeaten hurdler Queens Gamble is out for the season, reports her trainer Harry Derham, and will miss her planned engagement in the Mares Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.
Part-owned by Tote CEO, Alex Frost, the six-year-old was well fancied for the Champion Bumper last season when trained by Oliver Sherwood, but has continued to progress over obstacles since moving to Harry Derham, taking all before her to clock up a record of three from three over hurdles.
The best of those came when rubber stamping her credentials for this year's Festival by landing the Byerley Stud Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at Taunton in December (Tote Win: £1.85) by 2¾ lengths, with many ante-post books installing her as a top five contender for her intended target.
Trainer Harry Derham, who is operating with a 26% strike rate so far this season said, “Queens Gamble was found to have some heat in her legs on Monday evening after routine canters.
“Whilst everything scans fine, her owners Alex, Ed and their families and I have decided to stop for the rest of this season and not risk doing further damage by training her for Cheltenham.
“She will return, all being well, in the autumn.”
The news comes just before the Tote Ten To Follow Transfer window is about to open on Monday 4th March, where Queens Gamble can be transferred out for a new selection. Players are able to make two changes to their stable before the window shuts again on 11th March.
The Tote will also have a £1Million Placepot available everyday of the Cheltenham Festival, with last year's meeting seeing a Gold Cup day Placepot payout of £23,675.10 to a £1 stake.
