Paul Nicholls© Photo Healy Racing
Prolific juvenile Cliffs Of Dover has been ruled out for the rest of the season after suffering a setback.
A moderate performer on the Flat for Charlie Hills, the four-year-old has proved a revelation since joining Paul Nicholls, winning six of his seven starts.
He was last seen landing a Grade Two at Doncaster in December and was being geared up for a tilt at the Triumph Hurdle at next month's Cheltenham Festival, but is now set for a spell on the sidelines.
Nicholls said in his Betfair blog: " Cliffs of Dover will miss the rest of the season after knocking a leg during a schooling session over hurdles just over a fortnight ago.
"I was hoping the injury would have cleared up by now but unfortunately it is a bit more serious than we first thought.
"So he will not be going to Cheltenham for the Triumph Hurdle next month, which is a shame because he has been a revelation since joining us in the summer with a mark of only 64 on the Flat.
"Cliffs of Dover will have a nice long break now before he comes back into training in the autumn and we will aim to have him right for the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton."