In our last update, we were optimistic that Sycamore had recovered from the lameness that had affected him since his last run.

Unfortunately that proved not to be the case and it was apparent the issue had returned. We therefore took the decision to treat his joints with medication, something we have done to him previously.

Treatment like this typically has an excellent success rate, but one note of caution I would state is that it’s effectiveness can be reduced when a horse receives it on multiple occasions, as in this case. The initial signs are that Sycamore is absolutely sound again having had the treatment, but we’ll have to give him an easy couple of weeks before we know if we can step his work up again.

This has been a frustrating episode, having seen him win in June, I’d hoped we could kick on with him, but his next run was a disappointment. Perhaps in hindsight he just wasn’t as well as he seemed to be going into that second Nottingham run, and this latest bout of lameness may have confirmed that. The good news is the horse is well in himself, I’d be hopeful we’ll get him back on the track soon enough but most importantly we’ll do what’s right for him.

Scott Dixon, Coral Racing Club Trainer