Royal Rosa faces sidelines spell

Inglis Drever is the top English hope for the Champion Hurdle

Royal Rosa will miss the rest of the season after picking up an injury at Kempton Park on Saturday.

The Howard Johnson-trained six-year-old finished well behind Crystal d'Ainay and jockey Tony McCoy dismounted as soon as he crossed the line.

"He went straight to the vets and has got a big plaster cast on his leg," said owner Graham Wylie.

He also revealed that Inglis Drever could replace Royal Rosa in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Inglis Drever is currently entered in both the Champion Hurdle and the World Hurdle.

"Inglis Drever is as tough as old boots. He's got a big heart and he's got some speed," said Wylie.

"He'll go for either the Champion Hurdle or the World Hurdle with Royal Rosa now being out, or we might keep him fresh for Aintree.

"I leave it all to Howard. But the John Smith's Aintree Hurdle over two and a half miles is probably the perfect race for him from what everyone says about the horse and what we know about him.

"Howard's quite keen to see if we can take him to Cheltenham as well, but we'll just have to see how he shapes up in the next couple of weeks."