DAN Skelton's star hurdler Superb Story has been ruled out of the Stan James Champion Hurdle at next month's Cheltenham Festival.

The six-year-old, who won last year's County Hurdle at the Festival, has picked up a tendon injury and will be sidelined until next year.

Skelton tweeted: "Superb Story will not be running at Cheltenham. He's got a small lesion in a tendon and will need time off. Possibly back in December.

"It's a big blow and great disappointment for his owners and all the staff but we'll look after him and get him back."

The Alcester-based trainer still has Ch'tibello in the Champion Hurdle reckoning, but he is far from certain to make the line up after his second in the Kingwell Hurdle last Saturday.