Connections of Trabolgan have revealed it is "very possible" the star chaser will miss the entire jumps season.

 

Nicky Henderson's eight-year-old suffered a tendon injury when clinically dismantling his rivals to win the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup.

 

The Trevor Hemmings-owned gelding has not been seen on a racecourse since that triumph at Newbury last November.

 

Although hopes were this year high of Trabolgan's return to training, a latest scan confirmed the setback is taking longer than expected to heal.

 

"Unfortunately the healing process has been a slow one," said Hemmings' racing manager Michael Meagher, who is currently in the daily care of the horse.