Mouse Morris provides positive update on sidelined Smashing

Mouse Morris hopes to have Smashing back in action before the end of the season.The grey was pulled up sharply in the Tied Cottage Chase at Punchestown last weekend when he faced the almost impossible task of taking on Douvan.Morris has had Smashing examined by the vet and the prognosis is not as bad as first feared."Thankfully it's not too bad," said Morris."He'll be out for a spell but I'm hoping to get him back."When that will be I won't know until the vet has another look at him next week but I'd hope to have him back before the end of the season."Morris decided against running Alpha Des Obeaux in the Flogas Novice Chase at Leopardstown this weekend and he will now head straight to the Cheltenham Festival.Having got as close as anyone to Thistlecrack in the Stayers' Hurdle at Prestbury Park last March, hopes were high for him over fences this term, but despite a Grade Three win it has not all gone to plan."He broke a blood vessel over Christmas so we can put a line through that. I just want to take him there (Cheltenham) fresh," said Morris."He'll go for the RSAChase, not the four-miler (National Hunt Chase), I've got Nambour for that."We'll also run Buckers Bridge in the Foxhunter Chase. He's been revitalised in points this season."