Simonsig misses Cheltenham prep

Arkle favourite Simonsig will miss his intended Cheltenham prep race after being ruled out of the Betfair Super Saturday Chase at Newbury.

Nicky Henderson's exciting grey was set to be a heavy odds-on favourite for Saturday's race but won't now run following an unsatisfactory scope.

Henderson told racingpost.com: on Thursday evening: "Simonsig's trachea wash result today was 95 per cent but we'd only run if it was 100 per cent.

"Accordingly, we'll give him a week ticking over at home and then make a decision over whether to run before the festival."

Simonsig was a brilliant winner of his two chases to date - at Ascot and Kempton and looks set to be one of the warmest favourite's at next month's four-day showpiece.