Boherna Best, a current 66-1 shot at taking this year’s William Hill-sponsored Derby may not even be able to take part in the competition due to an injury he has picked up from a trial run at Sheffield on Monday night.
The Dual All England Champion has not set foot on the tracks since December, where he took third in the final of the ibetx.com St Mungo Cup.
Trainer Barrie Draper was preparing Best for next month’s Blue Riband at Hall Green, but the chances of him actually running now are uncertain.
Best was looking fairly normal as he cleared kennelmate Magna Oliver in the opening of the 280m workout on Monday. The problem only occurred after the second bend, which resulted in Oliver beating Best by four lengths, at which point it was clear that something was wrong.
“There doesn’t seem to be anything broken and more than likely it’s a muscle injury,” said Draper in the Racing Post, “but we won’t know for sure until he’s been checked out thoroughly.
“It’s a real blow because everything had been going well with him."
The extent of the injury can only be determined by the vet, but whether the news is ultimately good or less encouraging, it will definitely create a set-back to his journey for the Derby, should he make it.
His 2009 campaign wasn’t as great as 2008, although he did manage to retain the All England Cup title, an event in which Ballymac Ruso was the joint-market-favourite. Ruso, also a great dog for the tracks, sadly faced an early exit from the sport himself due to an injury.
Owner Anthony Rhodes has already declared he will retire Best if the injury means he will be out for a lengthy period. In which case he may possibly join Ruso at stud.
Tags: