Tuesday, August 26, 2008
COVENTRY Stakes winner Art Connoisseur has sustained a leg injury that will keep him out for the rest of the season.
The setback explains his poor performance in the rearranged Gimcrack Stakes at Newbury on Friday in which he could only finish eighth behind Shaweel.
"He has sustained an injury to his off fore cannon bone and although it is not too serious it would be serious enough to explain his poor run on Friday and is enough to keep him off the track for the rest of the season," the Newmarket trainer told his website, www.michaelbellracing.com.
The son of Lucky Story had proved himself to be one of the leading two-year-old’s of his generation.
After taking his unbeaten record to three in the Coventry at Royal Ascot, he was second to Mastercraftsman in the Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh.
Art Connoisseur finished half-a-length ahead of the third-placed Bushranger, who gave the form a big boost by winning the Prix Morny at Deauville on Sunday.
Bell still retains faith in the colt, who was pushed out to around 33-1 for the stanjamesuk.com 2000 Guineas following his poor run in the Gimcrack.
"He will be back next season a stronger horse and could be aimed at the Craven Stakes," the trainer added.
The Turf Club has announced there will be a 7.30am inspection of the sprint course at Tipperary on Wednesday ahead of the scheduled Thursday fixture.
There are slight concerns over a section of the sprint track due to ground conditions and officials thought it prudent to take an early look.
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