ROBERT ALNER'S run of ill luck has resurfaced with news that unbeaten chaser Sir Rembrandt is out for the season after sustaining a leg problem when scoring at Cheltenham last month.

The injury is a further major setback for Dorset-based Alner, who also has potential stable star Cracking Dawn on the sidelines and recently had to have decent hurdler Jeannot De Beauchene put down.

Sir Rembrandt, a 16-1 chance with bookmakers William Hill for the Royal & Sun Alliance Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, had created a very favourable impression over fences with battling victories at Newbury and Cheltenham.

"He has heat in a foreleg and I'm afraid we've got to call it a day with him for this season as he's obviously much too good a horse to take any risks with," said Alner, who trains at Hazelbury Bryan near Blandford.

"I guess he may have sustained the problem at the final fence at Cheltenham last time when he beat It Takes Time as he really took off at that jump and then battled up the hill.

"He was absolutely fine for a few days after the race and we were

really looking forward but then we unfortunately discovered the problem, which was a bit of a blow for us all here."

However, Alner declared that all being well Sir Rembrandt should make a full recovery from the injury and that he would be back in action next autumn.

He said: "He's had had very little racing I see no reason why he should not get over this and be back next season."

Jeannot De Beauchene, considered to be a young hurdler with a bright future over fences next season, had to be put down after striking into himself at Wincanton on Boxing Day.

Alner said: "Training is hard enough when everything goes right, but stables like ours don't need these sort of setbacks at any time."