Racing: Former Smurfit Champion Hurdle favourite Harchibald will not run again this season, trainer Noel Meade has confirmed.
The seven-year-old has been in Troytown Hospital since New Year's Day having had an operation to remove a piece of birch from his off-hind pastern.
"I have had a long chat with the vet and although he is very happy with him, we have decided he is not going to run again this season," Meade said.
Harchibald, runner-up in last season's Champion Hurdle, is believed to have sustained the injury when finishing second to Brave Inca in the December Festival Hurdle at Leopardstown over Christmas.
"Cheltenham is definitely out and while Punchestown is a possibility, I feel that it is best we take no chances with him," Meade continued.
"Rather than risking him and taking a chance trying to bring him back, it is best to give him time and bring him back next season.
"The vets have been pleased with him and are confident there will be on ill-effects at all. I will leave him at the hospital for the next week or 10 days as there is now no rush to get him home."
Irish Independent Arkle Trophy favourite Racing Demon has been ruled out of his engagements this week after bursting an abscess on a tooth.
Henrietta Knight's six-year-old had been entered at Uttoxeter on Wednesday but failed to appear among the five-day declarations for the Intercasino.co.uk Lightning Novices' Chase at Lingfield on Saturday.
"He has had a burst abscess on a tooth and he can't run this week at all," said Knight.
"We sent somebody up to walk the course at Uttoxeter and we were strongly considering that race, and I was going to enter him on Saturday, but he has this burst abscess.
"It is of no consequence long-term, but it is fairly uncomfortable as it is under his jaw."
The gelding shot to prominence in the Arkle market when making a winning debut over fences at Exeter in November and then followed up by taking a Grade Two event at Sandown last month.
He is a general 5-1 chance to score at the Festival, having finished runner-up there last year in the Royal & SunAlliance Novices' Hurdle.