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.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here