Mossey 'bit stiff and sore'

Declan McNamara was delighted to report Mossey Joe relatively unscathed following his crunching fall at Punchestown on Tuesday.

The nine-year-old had been sidelined by a serious hock injury since June and was in the process of running a blinder behind Gold Cup favourite Sir Des Champs in the Growise Champion Novice Chase until coming down at the final fence.

He rose to his feet with a bloody nose, but his trainer is hoping there will be other days for his stable star.

"He's a bit stiff and sore as you would expect, but other than that he's all right," said McNamara.

"He got a kick in the head and he was bleeding a good bit last night, but he's better this morning thankfully.

"I thought it was a great comeback run considering the injury he'd had and how long he'd been off.

"He was quite hard on himself and keener than we'd hoped early in the race, and considering that he did well to stay in the race for so long.

"The fall looked a bad one, but thank God he's all right. We'll probably give him a run over hurdles somewhere next to make sure his confidence is all right."