Big Buck's and Ruby Walsh© Photo Healy Racing
Trainer Paul Nicholls has been dealt a double blow this evening with the news that Big Buck's and Al Ferof are 'unlikely' to race for the rest of the season.
The former was due to run in Saturday's Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot, while Al Ferof was being prepared for an assault at the King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day.
Nicholls told Betfair: "At evening stables tonight, we discovered a problem with both Big Buck's and Al Ferof.
"I am not in a position to go into great detail at this point, but I can confirm that Big Buck's will not be taking up his engagement at Ascot on Saturday and Al Ferof will not be running in the King George.
"And both are unlikely to run again this season."
Big Buck's owner Andy Stewart later confirmed that his horse has suffered a leg injury.
