Racing: Large Action to be rested by Sherwood

Large Action, who again let down his supporters when failing to compete the course at Aintree on Saturday, will not race again this season, trainer Oliver Sherwood said yesterday.

The top hurdler, whose hat-trick of wins earlier this season caused him to be made favourite for last month's Champion Hurdle, was pulled up at Cheltenham as well as in Saturday's Martell Aintree Hurdle.

Sherwood said: "He won't run again this season but we will get him back for next season. He is not 100 per cent sound this morning but it's nothing serious and something totally different to what he suffered at Cheltenham.

"Yesterday's race may just have come a bit quick for him and the problem may have been in his mind as he may have been saving himself. Hopefully it will have no long-term effect."

The Irish-trained Urubande, who faded badly in the home straight in the Aintree Hurdle, will also be out of action until next season. Aidan O'Brien reported: "Urubande will have a soft palate operation now before getting a rest. The idea is to go chasing with him next season."

O'Brien, Ireland's champion jumps trainer, captured his first Irish Lincolnshire yesterday when 8-1 chance Toast The Spreece held the favourite Sylvian Bliss by a neck at the Curragh.