Cheltenham update: Ashley Brook will miss Wednesday's Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival and might not run again this season.
Kevin Bishop's eight-year-old was on course for the two-mile race after pleasing connections in a racecourse gallop at Exeter last week. However, his knee problem has flared up again and Bishop is unwilling to risk his stable star in the Grade One event.
"He's just not quite 100 per cent and you really do have to be at your best to run at the Festival," said Bishop. "He's been flexing it a bit and he didn't feel quite right when we trotted him out.
"He's slightly sore on one shin which could have something to do with it but until I can get the vet to check him properly, we won't know for certain."
Ashley Brook won the Grade One Maghull Novices' Chase at Aintree last season and caught the eye when finishing second to Kauto Star in the William Hill - Tingle Creek Trophy at Sandown on his last start.
Although Ashley Brook misses out, ante-post favourite Kauto Star will take his chance for Paul Nicholls. The six-year-old will face a maximum of 12 rivals, including Jessica Harrington's dual winner Moscow Flyer, as he bids for a first slice of Festival glory.
Dessie Hughes' Central House, who has already beaten Moscow Flyer twice this season, takes his chance along with follow Irish raiders Fota Island, Newmill and Watson Lake.
Hughes’ nine-year-old Hardy Eustace will have the assistance of a first-time visor in his attempt to win a third Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle in the feature race on the opening day of the Festival.
Eustace won one of the best renewals in recent times when claiming his second championship 12 months ago, holding off the strong challenges of Harchibald and Brave Inca. However, it is fair to say his preparation this year has been far from straightforward.
He needs to put a dismal run in the AIG Europe Champion Hurdle behind him and Hughes has decided to leave off the usual blinkers.
"I've always thought he doesn't particularly want blinkers," said Hughes. "The first time we tried them was after he won the SunAlliance Hurdle as he seemed to run lazily and then he won the Champion in them, so we were afraid to leave them off.
"If he was to be in front going to the last like he was last year at least he will see horses coming at him this time. His preparation hasn't been as straightforward this year but he is back to his best now, no-one need worry about that."
Last year's third Brave Inca reopposes and is rightly at the head of the betting after a hugely successful season. Since teaming up with champion jockey Tony McCoy, he has four victories from five races to his name with the only defeat coming over two and a half miles.
And trainer Colm Murphy is now hoping for that all important ingredient - luck. "Everything has gone fine since his last run and we are just hoping that he has a bit of luck in running on the day now," he said.
"He's a much stronger horse now than last year. He'd won the Supreme the year before that as well so we also know he likes the track. Since Tony has been riding him he just seems to have found that little bit of improvement, they bring the best out of each other.
"He looks like the one they all have to beat and please God he gets a bit of luck in running.Owner Graham Wylie, who enjoyed a fabulous Festival last year with three winners, has a few live chances again this week, starting with Arcalis.