Training duo Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero have suffered a bitter blow with stable star Iroko ruled out of the season due to a foot injury.

Owned by J P McManus, the five-year-old has won four of his nine starts under rules, including an impressive chasing debut performance at Warwick on 7 November, when breezing to an easy three-and-a-quarter length success. Originally bought out of France from the Emmanuel Clayeux yard, the son of Cokoruko enjoyed two handicap hurdle victories in the winter of the 2022/23 National Hunt season before landing the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March.

"He has just got a foot problem and it should be absolutely fine and he will be back next season. It is what it is, unfortunately," said co-trainer Oliver Greenall.

"For a smaller yard with not loads of really nice horses, it's a massive blow for anyone, but it's hard to take."