Ballycasey is a non runner in this afternoon's Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Willie Mullins' charge had been strongly fancied in the ante-post market for months but was withdrawn on the morning of the race.

The official reason supplied by the British Horseracing Authority is that Ballycasey's blood analysis is not normal.

Cloudy Copper had already been ruled out of the staying contest earlier in the day having been cast in his box.