Ballyalton winning his point-to-point in Boulta© Photo Healy Racing
Ballyalton has been ruled out for the season after failing to fully recover from a minor injury.
Ian Williams' seven-year-old won three of his five starts last year and finished off his season with a fine second behind Faugheen in the Neptune Investment Mangement Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.
Ballyalton had been viewed by many as a potential novice chasing star this term but his career is now on hold until the 2015/16 season.
His trainer said: "Ballyalton will not run this season having not recovered sufficiently from an injury.
"Ballyalton had only a minor injury, incurred after his superb effort at the Festival and is recovering well, but with such a high-class horse, there is no point in taking risks and on the advice of (vet) Buffy Shirley-Beavan from Summerhill, we've all agreed to give him the season off.
"It's very frustrating for everyone involved because he's not lame and you wouldn't even guess which limb has a problem.
"His form last season was outstanding, and he showed at the Festival what a high-class prospect he is. As things stand there is no reason why he should not come back as good as ever next season when he will go straight over fences.
"He's had very few races in his career, and I hope he will be back in 2015 to show everyone just how good he can be, and repay the faith and patience of his owner, John Westwood."
