Promising Upon Tweed on the sidelines following setback

Nicky Richards has been dealt a mid-season blow with the news that his promising novice hurdler Upon Tweed could be out of action until the spring after suffering a minor setback.

The five-year-old claimed the notable scalp of subsequent Cheltenham winner Conman John when making an impressive start to his career in a Newcastle bumper in February and he has further enhanced his reputation with a couple of emphatic victories over hurdles at Ayr.

A step up to Grade One level for the Formby Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree on Boxing Day had been under consideration, but Upon Tweed will now spend some time on the sidelines before returning in 2026.

“He’s just banged himself, so he won’t be running for a little while,” Richards explained.

“It is a shame, a crying shame, but it’s not a major problem. It could be, I could make it into one, but that’s the last thing I’m going to do.

“I’m just going to take my time and get him right. He’s a horse with loads of ability and potential, he’s some horse.”

When asked when Upon Tweed could be seen back on a racecourse, the Greystoke handler added: “We’re going steady at the moment, he’s just back walking. He’ll be back when he’s ready and I would think it’s going to be getting on for the spring.

“Hopefully it might be one run and then Aintree or something like that. I suppose if all went well he could go for the Premier Novices’ Hurdle at Kelso (February 28), although I do have a couple of others for that – we’re all dreaming at the moment.

“I know you don’t want to get a little injury any time, but he doesn’t really want this soft and heavy ground, he’s still a big, young horse and we’ll be back.”