Harry out of Gold Cup

Diamond Harry has been ruled out of the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Winner of the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury in November, when he had Denman behind him, the Nick Williams-trained eight-year-old had been as short as 8-1 in places for steeplechasing's blue riband event.

Owner Paul Duffy said on Friday: "He's got a suspensory ligament problem as I understand it from Nick.

"It was diagnosed today by the vet, so unfortunately he is out of the Gold Cup and that will be it for the season.

"Nick reckons he will need to rest for around four months given the nature of his situation.

"It's not as serious as a tendon injury thankfully, but that's the ups and downs of racing I'm afraid.

"We were very hopeful for him in the Gold Cup. He goes well fresh and we felt it was the right thing to do not to run again after the Hennessy."

Duffy and Williams can at least look forward to possible Cheltenham success with Reve De Sivola.

Duffy said: "Reve De Sivola is entered in the National Hunt Chase and the Jewson so we are hopeful. The National Hunt Chase is the favoured option at the moment."