Sidelined Slevin sets sights on Fastorslow return

J J Slevin is aiming to be in the saddle when Fastorslow makes his return to action in the John Durkan Memorial Chase at Punchestown later this month.

The Martin Brassil-trained eight-year-old will be defending his Punchestown crown on November 24, where he looks set for another clash with Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Galopin Des Champs.

Slevin told William Hill: “I’ve been out for five weeks now with injury as I broke a bone in my foot. It’s called the cuboid bone, which is right in the middle of my foot, but I’m on the way back now.

“On Monday I’m getting it X-rayed again and if that goes well, I can really kick on. I hope to be back riding on November 24 as that’s when Fastorslow will be making his seasonal return in the John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase, which he won last year on his comeback.

“The physiotherapy has been going well, and the gym has been helping me. I’ve made sure I’ve kept going and not just sat around the house.”

He added of Fastorslow, who has also twice beaten Galopin Des Champs in the Punchestown Gold Cup: “I’m looking forward to him coming back in the John Durkan. You would be hoping he will improve for his return, but you need to have them fairly ready going to the well the first day in a race like that.

“He will just have him boiling over just to start off that day and then build for the rest of the season.”