Dove may retire

Last year's Champion Hurdle winner Flakey Dove, who had recently been backed for a repeat win at Cheltenham next month, may have to be retired after injuring herself on the gallops.

A final decision on her participation in this year's race is expected to be made by her trainer, Richard Price, later this week.

"If the race was two months away then she would have every chance of running," Price said yesterday. "But with only four weeks to go time is against us and, although I haven't fully decided, I think we are leaning towards retiring her to the paddocks.''

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