Edwardstone undergoing a full MOT this week

March 20

Alan, though still mystified as to why Edwardstone threw in his first-ever “shocker” in the Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham last week, hopes to get a few answers after running a series of checks this week with his stable-star.

Edwardstone, who trailed in last of the five finishers, was perfectly sound after he returned from Cheltenham, leaving Alan somewhat bemused.

He said:”We trotted him around the following morning and there were no signs of the lameness which he showed after the Clarence House at Cheltenham.

“We might find something this week, but he has been fine since he got back and, as yet, I have no answers. It was so disappointing as he had the perfect preparation going into Cheltenham, yet never travelled from flagfall and I knew he was beaten after two fences.

“It has not been an easy year for Edwardstone, because his season has been stop-start and we have never got into a proper rhythm with him because of the ground and the weather. However, I would not blame last week on the underfoot conditions as he has won in the soft before. Obviously, the season has not been a total disaster as he did win the Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown, but it has been frustrating.”