BARTERS HILL is set for a spell on the sidelines after suffering a leg injury on his chasing debut at Cheltenham.

Ben Pauling's classy staying hurdler was pulled up by David Bass after seven fences of the Steel Plate And Sections Novices' Chase, in which he was sent off the 11-8 favourite.

Barters Hill, the star of Pauling's Bourton-on-the Water stable, has suffered only one previous defeat came in the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle at last season's Cheltenham Festival.

He was found to have been lame behind and was taken away for further assessment. Pauling revealed the horse's injury is not career threatening, but exactly how long he will be off the track has yet to be determined.

"I've had a phone call from the lad that looks after him," said the Gloucestershire trainer.

"He said the horse has slipped a tendon off his hock. It's not career ending, but he will need a certain amount of time off.

"Whether he's back this season depends on how severe it is. A horse like that needs plenty of patience.

"It's a terribly sad day, but we've still got him. It's a real shame, but hopefully it's only a stumbling block.

"He will return racing but he definitely wants three miles not two and a half."

O O Seven (9-2) took full advantage of Barters Hill's dramatic exit as he ran out a convincing winner, despite drifting badly towards the stands rail on the run-in.

Jockey Nico de Boinville soon had the Nicky Henderson-trained six-year-old back on an even keel and O O Seven galloped past the post 10 lengths to the good over Sizing Tennessee. Rock The Kasbah ran on strongly to claim third place.

De Boinville said: "It was a smashing performance from a remarkable horse.

"It was a big ask but he's shown us a lot at home with his schooling."