BOOKIES have slashed odds across the board after beloved grey White Birch was ruled out for the remainder of the season.
John Murphy’s star four-year-old colt has been missing since May, when he was last seen beating former Derby winner Auguste Rodin in the Tattersalls Gold Cup.
White Birch missed all the big races over the summer and now it has been confirmed he won’t be seen again until next year.
George Murphy, John’s son, told the Racing Post: “Unfortunately it looks like White Birch will miss the rest of the season.
“He strained a near hock and the advice is he will be off for three to four weeks which won’t give us time to get back going for his plan for the rest of the season.
“We’re looking forward to him returning to the track next season.”
White Birch had been as short as 9-2 for next Saturday’s blockbuster Irish Champion Stakes.
But old rival Auguste Rodin and William Haggas’ fit-again Economics were cut to as short as 3-1 and 6-4 respectively for the Leopardstown Group 1.
Another big race that had been on White Birch’s radar was the Arc on October 6.
With the ground almost certain to be testing at Longchamp for France’s race of the season, White Birch was fancied to run well there.
But instead it is Joseph O’Brien’s Al Riffa who has attracted support into 12-1 – as short as 9-1 in places – on the back of White Birch’s injury.
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There was also a bit of cash around for strong 3-1 favourite Look De Vega.
While looking further ahead to Ascot’s Champions Day and the Champion Stakes on October 19, it’s again Economics that has been backed.
He now battles for favouritism at around 3-1 with French raider and awesome Royal Ascot winner Calandagan.
White Birch had been as short as 6-1 for the 1m2f contest worth almost £750,000 to the winner.
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