Irish novice chaser Nil Desperandum will miss next month's Cheltenham Festival.
The talented seven-year-old had been a leading contender for the Royal & SunAlliance Chase after hacking up by 14 lengths in a Grade One event in November.
But he was forced to miss an intended run at Naas last month after knocking a chip from the bone on his pastern.
"He is progressing slowly but he won't make Cheltenham," trainer Frances Crowley said today.
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"He is recovering, but it is taking time and we don't know whether he will run again this year. It is probable that he won't be back out until the autumn, but we are not making any decision until we know how he is.
"He'll be OK in time but his recovery is slower than we thought it would be," she added.