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Sparky May retired

Image: Sparky May: Retired due to leg injury

David Nicholson runner-up Sparky May has been retired due to a leg problem, trainer Keiran Burke revealed on Thursday.

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Cheltenham runner-up retired due to leg injury

David Nicholson runner-up Sparky May has been retired due to a leg problem, trainer Keiran Burke revealed on Thursday. A winner of four consecutive hurdles last season, including a Grade Two at Ascot, she went on to finish second to Quevega in the David Nicholson at Cheltenham and third in a Grade One at Aintree under Burke. The former jockey, who was assisting former trainer Pat Rodford at his stable, took over the reins this term and ran her twice, although she made little impression on Big Buck's on both occasions. "It's a big blow, a massive blow for the yard," said Burke. "Nothing showed up after her last run at Ascot but we thought something might be bothering her. "She did her first bit of work but we had a scan done on her yesterday and we have decided she will have to be retired." Burke said he hoped Sparky May could still have a future as a broodmare. "That's the plan now, although I'm not sure what the solid plans are," he said. "It depends what the owners want to do."

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