Owner Clive Smith believes it is doubtful that his dual Queen Mother Champion Chase winner Master Minded will ever race again.
Injury set to sideline Champion Chase hero
Leading owner Clive Smith believes that it's highly unlikely that Master Minded will ever race again.
The dual Queen Mother Champion Chase winner severed a tendon when stepping up to three miles for the first time in the King George at Kempton on Boxing Day.
The nine-year-old underwent successful surgery the same day and remains in Newmarket convalescing.
"I don't think he'll race again. We've had a good chat with Ian Wright, the head vet at Newmarket equine services unit," Smith told
At The Races.
"They've looked after him tremendously well since December 26. They were operating on him that evening from seven o'clock until 11 o'clock at night. They saved his life really.
"I'm afraid the tear of the sheath is so big - it's right down to the foot - that it is only scar tissue that is holding it together.
"We don't think in a race on the landing side of a fence with half a ton of force it could stand it, but we'll see."
Master Minded began his career in France before joining the Paul Nicholls stable in 2007 and won 16 of his 28 starts.
He won eight times at the highest level and amassed £1,163,946 in prize money.
