Racing:Star De Mohaison, ante-post favourite for Saturday's Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup, will bypass the race.
Owner Sir Robert Ogden and trainer Paul Nicholls have decided to sidestep the Newbury feature with their star five-year-old, with a view to launching a totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup campaign.
"Sir Robert has spoken with Paul Nicholls this morning and they have decided not to confirm him at the five-day stage," said Ogden's racing manager Barry Simpson.
"It is a decision they have taken together. The reason is simply that we all agree he is a very good horse and we want to give him time to develop into a possible Gold Cup horse."