Kruzhlinin suffers setback ahead of bid to retain title

The reigning joint-champion point-to-pointer Kruzhlinin is set for a spell on the side lines after suffering a setback ahead of his bid to become the first horse to retain that title.

The 12-year-old shared the spoils last season with Sam Curling’s Longhouse Music after the pair ended a record-breaking campaign with 13 wins apiece, having recorded the last of those success on the final of the season at Ballingarry under Lisa O’Neill.

Trained by Gordon Elliott, the Sholokohov gelding had featured among the entries at Loughrea alongside his co-champion Longhouse Music, and the eventual race winner and former Irish Gold Cup winner Edwulf.

Camilla Sharples, Travelling Head Lass at Elliott’s Cullentra Stables and in whose colours Kruzhlinin recorded each of his 13 successes last season, posted the disappointing news online on Monday afternoon.

“Very sad to report that Kruzhlinin has suffered a setback this P2P season and will be out of action for a while.

“Only time will tell if he will make it back to the track this season,” she tweeted.