Simonsig ruled out of Tingle Creek

Simonsig has been ruled out of the Betfair Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown on Saturday with lameness.

The grey, twice a winner at the Cheltenham Festival, was all set for his first run over fences since the 2013 Arkle Trophy having returned from over two years off with a fine run over hurdles at Aintree last month.

Trainer Nicky Henderson told Press Association Sport: "Simonsig is not running, he's lame. He was OK, Barry (Geraghty) came in and rode him and he schooled, but unfortunately he is lame tonight. I honestly don't know why - it is so, so cruel. I'm desperately sorry for Ronnie (Bartlett, owner), he has waited over two years to get him here."

Henderson added: "He schooled this morning and he was fine. It's horrible, especially given we had got a prep run into him that had gone so well."

It is a further blow for the race, with Irish star Un De Sceaux ruled out by Willie Mullins on Wednesday, when he was described as a "little flat".

Henderson will still be represented in the Grade One showpiece by Josses Hill.

Simonsig's absence will see Vibrato Valtat tighten his grip on favouritism as he attempts to give Paul Nicholls an eighth Tingle Creek in the past 11 years.

Nicholls also saddles Mr Mole, and told Racing UK: "Mr Mole is in no-man's land at the moment. It's tough for him in Grade Ones but he's handicapped out of things so where else do you go?

"We're hopeful of a good run. He's won at Sandown a couple of times so he's an outsider on what he's done, but the other one (Vibrato Valtat) deserves to be favourite on what he's done.

"Vibrato won the Haldon Gold Cup, which is a good stepping stone for this. We're hoping he's an improving horse and he should have a good chance."

It took Sam Twiston-Davies a few rides on Vibrato Valtat to get to know him but the pair appear to have a good understanding now.

"The faster the pace the more it will suit him because, ideally, I'll land him there as late as possible as one thing he does is travel and he has plenty of speed about him," Twiston-Davies told At The Races.

"He's the perfect kind of two-miler because he stays really well. He looks the ideal type for that race."

Sire De Grugy, who won the Tingle Creek two years ago, has lost his sparkle of late and trainer Gary Moore admits he is close to entering last-chance saloon against the very best.

"He's got his work cut out," said the West Sussex handler.

"I didn't feel he got back on track at Exeter (last of five behind Vibrato Valtat). He launched himself at the first ditch again, which was disappointing as we'd done a lot of work with him - I hope he doesn't do it again.

"The only saving grace was that he was still there at the second-last but he didn't finish his race off like I'd have liked to have seen him do. Jamie (Moore) said he wasn't fit, but I can't believe that. That was his theory, though, I just can't believe that. He'll be fitter on Saturday, but he'll need to be."

Mick Channon has booked Nina Carberry for Somersby, runner-up in the Tingle Creek in the last two renewals, after the pair teamed up to win with Knock House at Cheltenham.

"He loves it there and the old boy is in great form," said Channon.

"He was also entered at Huntingdon, but that was a hot enough race as well and there was also the trip to think about. It looks like it's going to be decent ground, but he goes on anything so that won't really matter to him."