Cue Card has been pulled from the Cheltenham Festival

The 2013 champion won’t be making a return this year

For a second year in a row Cheltenham will be denied seeing Cue Card in action in the Ryanair Chase.

It was confirmed this morning that the horse, who also failed to make an appearance in 2014 to defend his title, is not fit enough for the trip. It’s believed he has picked up a breathing problem with trainer Tizzard telling the Racing Post:

“He won’t be going to Cheltenham. He’s got a small wind problem that will be sorted today and he should be all right for Aintree.

“He’s having the wind op today – a little correction – and everybody says he’ll be fine in a week, but he won’t be going to Cheltenham.

“He’s started making a little noise in the last few days.”

The nine-year old was an ante-post favourite for the race with his main challenge expected to come from Don Cossack. He was previously linked to a tilt at the Gold Cup in 2014 until problems his back ruled him out.