The staying chase division lost just a little lustre on Thursday afternoon with the news that one of the stars of the past two seasons will miss the rest of the 2024/25 campaign. Following his recent comeback fourth in the John Durkan Memorial Chase at Punchestown, the Martin Brassil-trained Fastorslow had been supported into around 4/1 for the King George VI Chase on Boxing Day, for which he would need a supplementary entry. Regardless of his participation at Kempton, he was among the more fancied runners for the major 3m prizes, including the Cheltenham Gold Cup and Punchestown Gold Cup.
Unfortunately for connections, those plans will now not come to pass, with Brassil informing the public in a statement, which read:
“Following the John Durkan Chase, Fastorslow suffered a soft tissue injury. Before he resumed back into full work, we had him checked over by our veterinary team. They have advised us that he requires time off, so he will miss the remainder of this season. It is not career-threatening, and we expect that he will be back for the resumption of the 2025-26 season.”
Three-Time Grade 1 Winner
Joining the Brassil operation from France in April 2021, Fastorslow failed to win in his debut season over hurdles but showed definite promise, most notably when losing out by just a short head in the Coral Cup at the Cheltenham Festival.
The 2022/23 season saw the Saint Des Saints gelding sent over fences. Pitched straight into Grade 1 company for the John Durkan Memorial Chase and Ladbrokes Dublin Chase, he appeared out of his depth, only to explode into life in the second half of the season. Having gone down by a neck to future Grand National hero Corach Rambler in a vintage renewal of the Ultima Handicap Chase, he then caused a huge shock when mastering Cheltenham Gold Cup king Galopin Des Champs and King George champ Bravemansgame in the 2023 Punchestown Gold Cup.
Returning in 2023/24, Fastorslow bagged his second Grade 1 when beating Galopin Des Champs for a second time in the John Durkan Memorial Chase. He then came up short to his familiar foe in the Irish Gold Cup and unseated his rider in the big one at Cheltenham. Rounding off the season with a successful defence of his Punchestown Gold Cup crown (Galopin Des Champs again behind), many wondered what might have been had he stayed on his feet at Cheltenham.
Huge Blow for Curragh Yard
The loss of a proven top-tier talent would affect any yard. However, the impact is particularly keenly felt by the Brassil team. Unlike the Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliotts of the world, Brassil does not have a vast squadron of Grade 1 talent to call upon.
With a chase rating of 170, Fastorslow is fully 27lbs clear of the next highest-rated chaser in the yard, Desertmore House. He is also the only Brassil-trained runner to win at the top level since 2020 and accounted for over 33% of the yards prize money in 2023/24.
Turning nine in January, Fastorslow still has time on his side to add to his Grade 1 haul. Hopefully, for connections and fans, he will return to continue his progress in 2025/26.
