DEFENDING champion Politologue was dramatically pulled OUT of the Champion Chase at the last minute with a burst blood vessel. The Paul Nicholls-trained horse had blood in his nose. Nicholls, the 11-time champion trainer, said they did not want to risk the horse’s health in the feature race on day two of the Cheltenhan Festival. […]
DEFENDING champion Politologue was dramatically pulled OUT of the Champion Chase at the last minute with a burst blood vessel.
The Paul Nicholls-trained horse had blood in his nose.
Nicholls, the 11-time champion trainer, said they did not want to risk the horse’s health in the feature race on day two of the Cheltenhan Festival.
William Hill: Bet £/€10 Get £/€60 in Free Bets (£/€40 sports + £/€20 casino) (mobile only) – CLAIM HERE
Paddy Power: BTTC: Bet £10 on race 1 at Cheltenham Thursday, Get £35 in Free Bets – CLAIM HERE
William Hill: 18+. Play Safe. New customers who sign-up via Mobile using promo code S60 only. 1x per customer. Min £/€10 bet. Min odds 1/2 (1.5). Free bets of 4 x £/€10 issued after first qualifying bet settles. Max £/€20 Bonus. 35x wagering requirement. Max redeemable bonus: £25. Casino bonus expires after 72 hours. UK & Eire only. Additional T&Cs, including free-bet, game, location, payment method and stake contributions apply. Begambleaware.org
Paddy Power: New Customers Only. Place a min £10 bet on the ‘Win Each Way’ market of the 13:20 Cheltenham race, Thursday, March 18th. Get a £5 free bet for each of the remaining Thursday Cheltenham races. Free bets will be awarded after your qualifying bet has been settled. Only deposits made using cards or Apple Pay are eligible. T&Cs apply. Paddy’s Rewards Club: Get a £10 free bet when you place 5x bets of £10+. T&Cs apply. 18+ Begambleaware.org
It meant Chacun Pour Soi started the race as huge 8-13 favourite.
But it was not to be, as 17-2 shot Put The Kettle On absolutely rocketed home to win the £168,810 first-place prize.
The heavily fancied Chacun Pour Soi eventually finished for third, with 11-1 Nube Negra landing second.
Nicholls tweeted a photo of blood coming from Politologue’s nose.
And he wrote alongside the image: “This is the reason I withdrew Politologue today.
“It could have been just a small bang on the nose to cause it but obviously we could not take any chances with him.”
Racing punters praised Nicholls for putting the horse’s wellbeing first and foremost.
One said: “Well done Paul, horse comes first as always.”
Another posted: “Always got the horse at heart. Good man Paul.”
While a fellow Twitter user wrote: “Gutted he couldn’t take his chance but well done for looking after him.”
For punters who backed the horse, their bets will be voided and money returned.
Commercial content notice: Taking one of the bookmaker offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. 18+. T&Cs apply. Begambleaware.org
A responsible gambler is someone who:
