Trainer John Dawson has officially announced that he will not run his promising horse A Likeable Rogue at the Cheltenham Festival this year, despite the horse's remarkable performance in a Listed National Hunt Flat Race at Newbury. The horse triumphed with a nine-length victory, which had drawn attention from the racing community and sparked interest from potential buyers eager to add him to their stables. However, Dawson has emphasized his commitment to keeping the horse and decided against further racing this season.

The decision comes shortly after A Likeable Rogue's standout performance, which saw him outpace other competitors, setting the stage for speculation about his future in races, notably at the prestigious Cheltenham Festival. William Hill had even prices him at 20-1 for the Champion Bumper, indicating a strong belief in his potential for success at a major event. Dawson's reluctance to put the horse back into training stems from a desire to protect his promising talent, especially in light of the growing interest from investors.

The implications of this decision are twofold. While it may have disappointed fans hoping to see A Likeable Rogue compete at Cheltenham, it also highlights Dawson's cautious approach toward nurturing a young horse with significant potential. By choosing to withdraw A Likeable Rogue from immediate competition, Dawson aims to focus on the horse's long-term development, which could pay off in future seasons as he matures and trains to handle higher levels of competitive racing.