Racing:Popular chaser Monet's Garden has been retired and "is battling away for his life", according to trainer Nicky Richards. The bold-jumping grey, who turned 13 on New Year's Day, is critically ill after suffering an infection in a foot.
He was last seen winning the Old Roan Chase for the third time at Aintree in October, but it was reported after the race that he had a problem with a foot.
The injury became infected in the navicular bone area, which required several operations, but the wound has taken far longer than anticipated to heal.
"The old horse is battling away for his life," Richards said. "I spoke to our vet this morning. It has been a hell of a job trying to close this infection down. The navicular bone became infected and it's into the flexor tendon as well and the infection is taking some closing down.
"The lady looking after him has done a fantastic job."
Richards added: "We've searched worldwide and we've been in contact with everybody looking for a way to treat it and this girl seems to have everything covered. She really has tried her best. He's had the best treatment available.
"Regarding his racing career though, that's over. We are just trying to save the old horse now, he's still at the vets. I don't know if he's over the worst yet, even. We are having a hell of a job closing this infection down. If we can do it, it will be absolutely fantastic."