Neptune Collonges came fourth in the Gold Cup

Neptune Collonges will not run for a year after injuring his tendon during the Cheltenham Gold Cup, his owner John Hales has confirmed.

Hales, who is from Cosford in Shropshire, said the injury may be the reason why his horse failed to perform better in last week's race.

"We believe it happened in the race but it didn't show up until a few days after," he told BBC Radio Shropshire.

"It might have been the reason why he didn't perform at a normal level."

He would be a 10-year-old, which is not too bad, he'd probably have one last chance at it John Hales

Neptune was well backed to cause an upset in the Gold Cup but after making the early running, he fell back into fourth place as stablemate Kauto Star won the race in hugely impressive style.

"He now has to have his legs looked at by the vets and the appropriate treatment applied," Hales added.

"But it means he'll be off for 12 months which means he'll miss the rest of next season as well."

Neptune Collonges was due to run at Punchestown in the Guinness Gold Cup next month, a race he has already won twice.

But it now looks doubtful he will be ready in time to run in the Cheltenham Gold Cup next year and Hales believes he will have one more go at winning the race in 2011.

"He would be a 10-year-old, which is not too bad, he'd probably have one last chance at it."

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